India triumphed over New Zealand by 44 runs during their final group stage match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 held on March 2, 2025, at Dubai. With this victory, India concluded their group phase with three wins out of three matches, securing their place in the semifinals against Australia on March 4.
New Zealand's captain, Mitchell Santner, expressed his team's challenges following the match. He noted, "It was a slower wicket than what we have come against. We knew going in. India controlled the middle phase [better]." This acknowledgment reflects the significant influence of the pitch conditions on the performance of both teams.
While the Indian batting lineup struggled early, being reduced to 30 for 3, Shreyas Iyer’s determined innings of 79 runs was instrumental in stabilizing the team. He formed a 98-run partnership with Axar Patel, who contributed 42 runs, both efforts helping India reach a total of 249 runs for 9 wickets at the end of their 50 overs.
India's innings witnessed its fair share of instability when wickets began to tumble after Iyer's dismissal, along with KL Rahul's modest contribution of 23 runs. Despite these setbacks, Hardik Pandya's performance, with 45 runs off 45 balls, ensured India set what turned out to be a competitive total.
On the bowling front, New Zealand's Matt Henry had a remarkable outing, taking 5 wickets for 42 runs, showcasing his capabilities against the Indian batting order. Santner praised Henry, saying the ability to secure early wickets was key. He stated, "The key for us was getting wickets in the powerplay, and that's good to see." This highlights the important strategy employed by the Kiwis, marking the powerplay as their chance to gain momentum.
Chasing 250 runs, New Zealand fell victim to Indian spinners led by Varun Chakravarthy, who bamboozled the Kiwis’ middle order with his exceptional bowling performance claiming 5 wickets for 42 runs. Alongside him, Kuldeep Yadav provided valuable support, taking 2 wickets for 56 runs. Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel also chipped in with one wicket apiece, making it difficult for the Kiwis to build partnerships.”
Despite Kane Williamson's commendable effort of 81 runs from 120 deliveries—where he struck seven fours—New Zealand's batting crumbled as they lost wickets at regular intervals, culminating with their complete surrender at 205 runs within 45.3 overs. Chakravarthy's decisive bowling was recognized by Santner as he mentioned, "Varun Chakravarthy unleashed a spin web," to describe the challenges faced by his side.
With their eyes set on the next match against South Africa, Santner emphasized the need to adapt to different pitch conditions, particularly citing their upcoming challenge as they move to Lahore. He hinted at the necessity for their approach to accommodate the probable pace and bounce of the pitches there.
This match not only underscored India's strong performance leading up to the semifinals but also demonstrated the tactical depth of their bowling unit, especially against formidable opposition. Santner's comments highlighted both the lessons learned and the need for future adjustments as they look to navigate the knockout stages.
Looking forward, India now gears up to face Australia on March 4, bolstered by confidence from their group stage prowess, yet aware of the challenges posed by the reigning cricket champions.