DUBAI: India opener Shubman Gill on Saturday said the team will look to win the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand to get over their 2023 ODI World Cup title defeat.

The final on Sunday in Dubai will decide the winner of the eight-nation tournament played in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.

`I am quite excited,` vice-captain Gill told reporters at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on the eve of the final. `My second ICC event for team India and second final. The last time which we couldn`t do, we will try to do it this time.

India went down to Australia in the 50-over World Cup final in November 2023 on home soil in Ahmedabad in a heartbreaking defeat for the team, which had come into the title clash unbeaten.

However, Rohit Sharma`s team eased the heartache of fans a few months later when they lif ted the 2024 T20 World Cup title India`s first victory in a major global event since the 2013 Champions Trophy.

The 25-year-old Gill, who was not part of the T20 triumph, said India`s hunger for a global title remains undiminished but there will be no desperation.

`Sometimes once you get one title, I think that kind of breaks the jinx,` he said. `It gives you the momentum, also you are not very desperate about getting the title. It`s not good when desperation kicks in. Then it becomes hard to put the occasion out of the equation.

`In all these big matches, the players or the teams that can put aside the pressure and take the occasion out of the game have a better chance of winning.

`I think winning the title in 2024 doesn`t mean that we are less hungry but I think it makes us more balanced that yes we`ve won an ICC title and we`ll try to do our best to win this one.

India come into the title clash unbeaten in four matches af ter they went past Australia in the semi-final to eye a third Champions Trophy crown.

India have played all their matches in Dubai after they refused to tour hosts Pakistan due to political tensions.

They remain the tournament`s only unbeaten team having already defeated New Zealand in a group game in Dubai.

Gill said the importance of a final does come into the equation when they wall< out but a champion team knows how to handle pressure.

`The big-match pressure is always there,` said Gill.

`This is the reason why we talk about big teams of previous years, including West Indies and Australia. Those teams played their best cricket in knock-outs. Easier said than done, but good teams play their best cricket under pressure.

India have been boosted by stalwart Virat Kohli`s return to form and the firepower in their middle order.

Kohli hit an unbeaten 100 against arch-rivals Pakistan in a group game and hit 84 in another successful chase in the semi-final.

Sharma has been slammed for not converting his starts into bigger scores, but his quiclc cameos have nonetheless allowed the team to build totals.

Gill, who opens with Sharma, said India`s batting depth has allowed the top-order to bat freely.

`I thinl( this is the best batting line-up that I have been part of,` said Gill. `Rohit, Virat, I think all-time one-day greats. Rohit one of the best openers in whiteball and Virat one of the best ODI batsman ever.

`The batting depth that we have has made life easier for the top order batsmen. Those of us in the top order play with so much of freedom because of our batting depth.

Whilst Indian media continue to speculate on Sharma`s retirement, Gill said there has been no talk about it in the dressing room.

`The discussion has been around the final,` said Gill.

`I don`t think even Sharma is thinking about it too much.`-Agencies