On March 9, 2025, cricket fans are closely watching as India is set to face New Zealand at the Dubai International Stadium. This highly anticipated matchup is part of the finals of the ICC Champions Trophy.
New Zealand's captain, Mitchell Santner, won the toss and chose to bat first. According to live score data reported by ESPN, New Zealand has accumulated 213 runs with the loss of six wickets as of 46.3 overs.
The live stream of the match is drawing colossal viewership. Reports indicate more than 37 crore (370 million) people are currently tuned in to the action on the Jio Hotstar OTT platform. This number continues the trend seen earlier this year when India's match against New Zealand on March 2 attracted over 40 crores (400 million) viewers, demonstrating the game's growing popularity.
India's remarkable performance during these championships has not gone unnoticed. Earlier, they showcased their prowess by defeating New Zealand by 44 runs, marking yet another significant victory within the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Adding to the excitement, India's semi-final clash against Australia brought in over 66.9 crore (669 million) viewers, making it one of the most-watched matches of the season.
Cricketing rivalries are always special, and India's previous encounter against their arch-rivals, Pakistan, recorded over 60.2 crore (602 million) viewers when they claimed victory, demonstrating the drawing power of such matches.
Against this backdrop, Jio Hotstar has emerged as the go-to platform for cricket streaming. The service offers both ad-supported and premium subscription plans to cater to various viewer preferences. Ad-supported plans start at ₹149 for three months, whereas premium plans begin at ₹299 per month or ₹1,499 annually, granting ad-free watching experiences during live telecasts and shows.
The growing viewership figures for cricket events on platforms like Jio Hotstar reflect the sport's immense popularity across India and beyond. With quality streaming services providing fans immediate access to their favorite matches, the dynamics of cricket engagement have shifted significantly.
With India now set to take the crease after New Zealand’s innings, the outcome remains to be seen. Cricket fans and analysts alike will be glued to their screens, anticipating whether India can claim victory at this high-stakes ICC Champions Trophy final.