India capped off their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 group stage campaign with style, clinching the top spot with a 44-run victory over New Zealand at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. This success was part of their impressive run, extending their unbeaten streak and positioning them strongly as they head toward the semi-finals.
Chasing the modest target of 250 runs, New Zealand faced an uphill battle as their batting unit succumbed to India's disciplined bowling attack, folding for 205 runs. The standout player for New Zealand was Kane Williamson, who fought valiantly, scoring 81 runs off 120 balls adorned with seven boundaries. He was supported by skipper Mitchell Santner, who contributed 28 runs, and opening batsman Will Young, who added 22 runs. Unfortunately for the rest of the team, they fell cheaply, unable to build on their efforts.
On the bowling front, Indian bowler Varun Chakravarthy was the highlight of the match, taking five wickets for just 42 runs across his 10 overs. His exceptional performance was pivotal, complemented by Kuldeep Yadav, who nabbed two scalps, sealing New Zealand's innings quite decisively. The Indian batters faced their fair share of difficulties earlier on, with the top order underperforming and reducing them to 30 for 3 within just 6.4 overs, thanks to the devastating bowling from Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson.
Earlier, New Zealand's captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and opted to bowl first, which turned out to be beneficial for his team. The Indian batting unit struggled initially, with Rohit Sharma falling early for just 15 runs, Shubman Gill dismissed for 2, and Virat Kohli following soon after with only 11 runs on the board. This early collapse prompted Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel to combine for a remarkable recovery.
The two batters constructed a valuable partnership, adding some stability by amassing 98 runs for the fourth wicket. Axar Patel showcased his all-round skills, scoring 42 runs off 61 deliveries, which included three fours and one six. Iyer was just as impressive, remaining cautious yet aggressive when needed, scoring 79 runs off 98 balls, punctuated with four boundaries and two sixes.
Even after the important partnership was broken, with Patel falling to Rachin Ravindra, India wasn’t entirely out of the woods. Iyer and KL Rahul put on yet another brief partnership, adding 44 runs for the fifth wicket before Iyer fell victim to Will O’Rourke. Following Iyer's dismissal, India found themselves on the back foot once again, slipping to 223 for 7 within 46 overs.
Fortunately for India, Hardik Pandya provided some late fireworks with a brisk 45 runs off just 45 balls, helping the team finish their innings with 249 runs on the board. Matt Henry was the star for New Zealand's bowling unit, claiming five wickets for 42 runs, proving to be the anchor amid the struggles of his fellow bowlers. The others – Jamieson, O'Rourke, Santner, and Ravindra – each contributed with one wicket, but could not replicate Henry's impact.
The narrative fell sharply on New Zealand’s chase, where they began their innings with promise but quickly deteriorated under Indian pressure. Varun Chakravarthy’s opening wicket of Will Young set the tone, allowing India to control the game firmly. Williamson, though resilient at the crease, chased down deliveries from Indian bowlers but had little support from his team.
While the Indian bowlers tagged New Zealand’s batsmen effectively, Chakravarthy’s well-thought-out spin enabled him to capture wickets frequently, which contributed greatly to New Zealand’s collapse. The fall of wickets for the Blackcaps came at 17, 49, and 93, demonstrating just how challenging the chase was. Throughout his innings, Williamson tried to anchor New Zealand’s efforts, but the fall of wickets around him made it increasingly difficult.
The final nails to the coffin came as Phillips, Latham, and Ravindra crumbled under Chakravarthy’s spin spells, leading to Williamson being stumped by Rahul off Patel’s bowling, sealing New Zealand's fate at 205 all out after 45.3 overs.
With this victory, India stands atop Group A and heads confidently to the semi-finals, with the knowledge of their formidable bowling attack and middle-order batting resilience. The team's performance showcased their depth and skills, marking them as strong contenders for the championship title as they look to claim victory against the next foe.
India will now face Australia, whereas New Zealand will clash with South Africa as the tournament progresses. The semi-finals promise to deliver more thrilling encounters, with India demonstrating they are ready to continue battling on the international stage.
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