India secured a dominant 44-run victory over New Zealand in their final group match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on Sunday at the Dubai International Stadium.
After being asked to bat first, India posted a competitive total of 249 for nine and then bowled out the Black Caps for 205, maintaining their unbeaten record in the group stage.
India, invited to bat first in Dubai, faced an early collapse, reducing them to 30-3. Shubman Gill, the tournament's top scorer, was trapped lbw for just two by Matt Henry.
Skipper Rohit Sharma followed soon after, caught at square leg off Kyle Jamieson. Virat Kohli, playing in his 300th ODI, could not make an impact, dismissed for 11 off Henry after a spectacular one-handed catch by Glenn Phillips at backward point.
Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel steadied the innings, with Iyer scoring 79 off 98 balls and Patel contributing 42 off 61 balls, building a 98-run partnership.
KL Rahul offered good support, adding 23 off 29 balls, before Iyer was dismissed after top-edging a short ball to Will Young. Jadeja’s brief stay was cut short by another stunning catch from Williamson at backward point.
Hardik Pandya (45 off 45 balls) provided the late flourish for India, helping them reach 249/9. Matt Henry was the standout bowler for New Zealand, taking 5 wickets.
In their chase, New Zealand lost Rachin Ravindra early to Hardik Pandya, but Kane Williamson (81 off 120 balls) held firm, navigating a tricky pitch.
However, India’s spin quartet of Varun Chakravarthy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel kept the pressure on, with regular wickets falling.
Williamson was given a life on 32 but continued to fight, reaching fifty off 77 balls. He maintained the chase with some well-timed boundaries. Jadeja's breakthrough came when he trapped Tom Latham lbw for 14. Chakravarthy then took control, dismissing Glenn Phillips and Michael Bracewell.
India's spin dominance sealed New Zealand’s fate when Williamson, stumped after misjudging a ball from Axar Patel, was dismissed for 81.
The lower order fell quickly, with Mitchell Santner making 28 before being bowled by Chakravarthy, who completed a five-wicket haul. India wrapped up a 44-run win, securing their unbeaten record in the group stage.
India now face Australia in the first semi-final on March 4 in Dubai, while New Zealand will meet South Africa on March 5 in Lahore.
Playing XI:
India: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (Wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy.
New Zealand: Rachin Ravindra, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (Wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (C), Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Will O’Rourke.
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