The Indian men’s cricket team delivered a commanding performance against New Zealand, securing a 44-run victory in their final ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Group A match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. With this win, India has set up a high-stakes semi-final clash against Australia.
Match Highlights
- Shreyas Iyer’s Crucial Knock: India, batting first, faced an early collapse with Rohit Sharma (15), Shubman Gill (2), and Virat Kohli (11) falling within the first seven overs. However, Shreyas Iyer’s resilient 79 off 98 balls, along with Axar Patel’s crucial 42, helped stabilize the innings.
- India Posts 249/9: Contributions from KL Rahul (23 off 29) and Hardik Pandya (45 off 45) gave India the late push, setting a competitive target of 250.
- Varun Chakravarthy’s Magic Spell: The spinner ripped through New Zealand’s middle and lower order, claiming his maiden ODI five-wicket haul with figures of 5/42.
- Kane Williamson’s Lone Fight: New Zealand’s chase was anchored by their skipper, who scored a valiant 81 off 120 balls. However, consistent breakthroughs by the Indian bowlers meant the Kiwis were bowled out for 205 in 45.3 overs.
Key Takeaways from the Match
- Kohli’s 300th ODI Appearance: Virat Kohli became the seventh Indian cricketer to achieve this milestone, joining legends like Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, and Rahul Dravid.
- Shreyas Iyer’s Steadying Act: Despite a slow start, Iyer’s knock was crucial in providing India with a fighting total.
- Varun Chakravarthy’s Breakthrough Performance: His exceptional spell sealed the victory for India and made him the Player of the Match.
- Semi-Final Showdown Set: With this win, India finished at the top of Group A and will face Australia in the semi-final on Tuesday, while New Zealand will take on South Africa in the second semi-final in Lahore.
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Stay tuned for more updates on ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and get ready for an electrifying semi-final battle between India and Australia!
