Champions Trophy 2025 Final: Match Officials Announced! 

The final countdown for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final match has begun. All the cricket fans worldwide are eager to watch India and New Zealand, two of these epic teams, to clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on the 9th of March. While the two powerhouses are preparing for this high-stakes battle, the ICC has officially announced the team of match officials who will monitor this final game. To make decisions in such an important match, the ICC has selected some of its most experienced umpires to ensure that this final match happens transparently and fairly. 

The Match Officials Taking Charge

Paul Reiffel from Australia and Richard Illingworth from England, are two of the most seasoned umpires in the world of cricket. For the finals, designated as the on-field umpires. At the same time, Joel Wilson from the West Indies will serve as the third umpire, and  Kumar Dharmasena from Sri Lanka will take the role of the fourth umpire. To oversee the match, the ICC has appointed the great Ranjan Madugalle, considered one of the most respected figures in the ICC’s officiating panel.

Paul Reiffel – A Cricketer-Turned-Umpire with World Cup Pedigree

Paul Reiffel is very familiar with high-pressure situations. Before opting to become an umpire, he was a key member in the Australian squad of the 1999 World Cup, who were the winners. He was known for his disciplined fast bowling.

In his playing career span, he picked up a total of 35 Test wickets and 106 ODI wickets and made his mark as a cricketer in the cricket world. After becoming an umpire in his later life, he has officiated in over 90 Test matches, 150 ODIs, and 30+ T20Is, which includes several ICC knockout matches. One of his most recent umpiring experiences came in the South Africa vs. New Zealand semi-final in Lahore. There, he made several crucial calls under loads of pressure. Reiifel has more than a decade of experience in umpiring at the highest level, and thus he is considered as one of the most trusted names for officiating in global cricket 

Richard Illingworth – ICC’s Two-Time Umpire of the Year

Richard Illingworth has established himself as one of the most consistent and respected umpires in the world of cricket. He is a former England left-arm spinner and had represented his country in 9 Test matches and 25 ODIs before switching to umpiring. He has made his mark by winning the ICC Umpire of the Year award twice (2019 and 2022) from the time of his arrival into the world of cricket, which is an honor given to only the most elite officials in the world of cricket.  

Illingworth has officiated in over 60 Test matches and 100 ODIs, including the 2019 Cricket World Cup final, where his on-field decisions played a crucial role in one of the most dramatic games in cricket history. In the current tournament, he was the on-field umpire for the India vs. Australia semi-final, which saw India dominate their way into the final. His wealth of experience will be crucial in managing high-pressure situations in the title clash.

Joel Wilson – A Rising Star in the Umpiring World

Joel Wilson has been a regular feature in international cricket for over a decade now. He initially gained attention for some controversial decisions he made in the Ashes of 2019. But over time, he has worked hard to improve his accuracy and consistency. Wilson has now officiated in more than 50 Test matches, 100 ODIs, and several ICC tournaments, and thus has proven his ability to handle high-pressure matches. 

This will be his first ICC final as a third umpire. In this role, he will be responsible for reviewing crucial on-field decisions using the DRS system. As a third umpire, Wilson will play a pivotal role in maintaining fair play during this final match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. 

Kumar Dharmasena – A World Cup Winner with a Keen Eye for Detail

Kumar Dharmasena has one of the most unique resumes among all the officials for this match. In his earlier life he was a key player in Sri Lanka’s team. He was also part of the 1996 World Cup winning squad, where he contributed to his country with his off-spin bowling and handy lower-order batting.

He transitioned his career into umpiring after retiring from cricket as a player, and from the time of his arrival, he has become one of the most respected officials in the game. Dharmasena has officiated in over 75 Test matches, 120 ODIs, and multiple ICC tournament finals. The records can check on-field umpiring for the World Cup final 2019 between England and New Zealand, a game that went down to a dramatic Super Over. 

Ranjan Madugalle – The Most Experienced Match Referee in Cricket History

No ICC final feels complete without the presence of Ranjan Madugalle. He is a former Sri Lankan cricketer, and he holds the record as the most experienced match referee in history. He has overseen more than 250 Test matches and 400 ODIs since he arrived in the officiating world in the early 2000s. Madugalle has been a part of almost every major ICC final for the past two decades. He is a figure of faith for the smooth conduct of matches at the highest level. This role of referring in the final of Champions Trophy 2025 will increase the experience and credibility of this officiating panel.

India vs. New Zealand – The Final Showdown

The India vs. New Zealand final is set to be a fair and well-managed contest. This is such a strong umpiring team that will be monitoring the match. India is entering the final game, having dominated the games it played against Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand in the group stage matches and recently the crushing win against Australia in the semi-finals.

On the other hand, New Zealand, despite losing one match to India earlier in the group stage, is all set to make a strong comeback, as we have seen how dominantly it has beaten South Africa in the knockout round.

India is entering the finals as the favorites based on its form, but New Zealand has built a reputation for being a dangerous team in ICC finals. Mitchell Santner, with his team, will be looking to turn the tide against an in-form Indian side. Will India maintain their unbeaten streak and grab the title of ICC Champions Trophy 2025, or will New Zealand pull off a stunning upset for the Indian fans? We guess we would have to wait till March 9 to get the answer.