On March 2, 2025, India defeated New Zealand by 44 runs in the final Group A match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. This win solidifies India’s dominance as they head into the semifinals.
Match Summary: India vs. New Zealand
India’s Batting Performance
After winning the toss, New Zealand opted to bowl first. The Men in Blue set a competitive total of 249/9 in 50 overs.
- Shreyas Iyer was the top scorer with 79 runs.
- Hardik Pandya contributed 45 runs to strengthen India’s innings.
- Matt Henry was the standout bowler for New Zealand, taking 5 wickets.
New Zealand’s Chase and India’s Bowling Brilliance
Chasing 250 runs, New Zealand was bowled out for 205 runs in 45.3 overs.
- Kane Williamson was the top scorer for the Kiwis with 81 runs.
- Varun Chakravarthy delivered a match-winning spell, taking 5 wickets.
- Kuldeep Yadav claimed 2 wickets, while Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja took 1 wicket each.
Player of the Match
Varun Chakravarthy was awarded the Player of the Match for his exceptional bowling performance.
Semifinal Implications & Kohli’s Milestone
- Both India and New Zealand have already qualified for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semifinals from Group A.
- The winner of this match will face Australia in the semifinals, while the loser will take on South Africa.
- This match is historic for Virat Kohli, who is playing his 300th ODI today.
Key Highlights of the Match
✔ India defeated New Zealand by 44 runs in a thrilling ODI clash.
✔ Varun Chakravarthy’s 5-wicket haul dismantled the Kiwi batting lineup.
✔ Shreyas Iyer’s 79-run knock played a crucial role in India’s total.
✔ Virat Kohli achieves a career milestone with his 300th ODI appearance.
✔ India tops Group A and is set to face Australia in the semifinals.
