Champions Trophy 2025: India beat New Zealand in Dubai to reach semis
Men in Blue will face Australia on March 4 in UAE
DUBAI: India emerged victorious against New Zealand in their final Group A match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on Sunday, securing a semi-final berth against Australia.
The match, held at the Dubai International Stadium, saw India post a total of 249 for 9, thanks to a crucial late-order partnership between Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya.
New Zealand's stand-in captain, Mitchell Santner, won the toss and elected to field, aiming to exploit the early conditions.
India's batting
After being put in to bat, India faced early setbacks, losing their top three batsmen—Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli—within the first seven overs, leaving them at a precarious 30/3.
Shreyas Iyer played a pivotal role in stabilising the innings, scoring a resilient 79 off 98 balls. He was well-supported by Axar Patel, who contributed 42 runs, and Hardik Pandya, whose late surge added a crucial 45 runs.
Pacer Matt Henry was the standout performer for New Zealand, claiming a five-wicket haul. His precise line and length troubled the Indian batsmen, reducing them to 182 for 6 in 39.1 overs.
At a precarious position, all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya joined forces. Their aggressive approach in the latter part of the innings pushed India past the 200-run mark in the 42nd over. Their partnership added valuable runs, ensuring India reached a competitive total of 249 for 9.
New Zealand's chase
Chasing a target of 250, New Zealand struggled against India's disciplined bowling attack. Captain Kane Williamson stood out with a valiant 81 off 120 balls but lacked substantial support from the other end.
Spinner Varun Chakravarthy delivered a match-winning performance, claiming five wickets for 42 runs, effectively dismantling New Zealand's batting lineup.
Kuldeep Yadav also contributed significantly, taking two wickets for 56 runs. New Zealand were eventually bowled out for 205 runs in 45.3 overs, falling short by 44 runs.
Historically, India holds a superior ODI record against New Zealand, with 60 victories out of 118 encounters. However, in the Champions Trophy, the two teams had met only once before this match, with New Zealand emerging victorious.
Semi-Final in Dubai
With this victory, India tops Group A and is set to face Australia in the semi-final on March 4 at the Dubai International Stadium. The other semi-final will feature New Zealand against South Africa on March 5 in Lahore. However, venue confirmations have been delayed due to India's refusal to play in Pakistan, citing security concerns. This situation has led to both Australia and South Africa awaiting final venue decisions, with both teams currently in Dubai.
Where to watch Semi-Final live
The semi-final between India and Australia will be broadcast live across major sports networks, with pre-match analyses and post-match discussions lined up. Digital platforms will also provide live streaming, ensuring fans worldwide can tune in to catch the action. Social media platforms are already trending with hashtags related to the match, indicating the high level of interest and excitement among cricket enthusiasts.