In the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India beat New Zealand by 44 runs, with Varun Chakravarthy taking 5 wickets. This win sets up a semifinal clash against Australia in Dubai, after India topped Group A. New Zealand will face South Africa next. Shreyas Iyer and Hardik Pandya’s batting strengthened India’s total, while their spinners performed exceptionally well against New Zealand’s batting order.
In the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India defeated New Zealand by 44 runs, securing a semifinal matchup against Australia. Varun Chakravarthy highlighted India’s strong performance with exceptional bowling, capturing 5 wickets for 42 runs. This victory allows India to replay the 2023 Cricket World Cup final against Australia.
India triumphed in all three group matches, positioning them at the top of Group A. The semifinal will be held in Dubai, where India has played all its matches due to security concerns preventing a tour of Pakistan. Meanwhile, New Zealand will face South Africa after their Group B victory.
Set to play their semifinal in Dubai on Tuesday, India faced initial challenges during their innings. They found themselves at 30-3 after notable player Virat Kohli was dismissed by a spectacular catch from Glenn Phillips. Shreyas Iyer’s 79 runs and Hardik Pandya’s 45 runs were pivotal in guiding India to a total of 249-9 after opting to bat first.
Chakravarthy’s brilliance with the ball saw him achieve his first ODI five-wicket haul, limiting New Zealand to just 205 runs in 45.3 overs. Kane Williamson fought valiantly, scoring 81 runs before being dismissed by Axar Patel. However, with only few partnerships forming, New Zealand struggled to recover from early wickets.
India’s spinners capitalized on favorable conditions, with Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja contributing to the fall of key New Zealand wickets. Notably, Jadeja dismissed Tom Latham through an LBW. Despite a great effort by Williamson, the team could not maintain enough stability.
The match showcased incredible fielding on both ends, with brilliant catches affecting the game dynamics. An outstanding one-handed catch from Williamson dismissed Ravindra Jadeja, who managed only 16 runs. Pandya’s late surge of runs proved sufficient for India, leading them to victory.
India’s victory over New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 highlights their cricketing prowess and resilience. With a standout performance from Varun Chakravarthy and significant contributions from Shreyas Iyer and Hardik Pandya, India sets the stage for an exciting semifinal against Australia. This rematch promises to be a thrilling contest, rekindling tensions from the previous World Cup final.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
