India secured a dominant 44-run victory over New Zealand in the final group match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.
After being asked to hit first, India posted a competitive total of 249 at 9, then bowled the black cap at 205, maintaining an unbeaten record in the group stage.
India, first invited to the bat in Dubai, faced an early collapse and reduced them to 30-3. Schubman Gill, the top scorer of the tournament, was locked in the LBW with just two by Matt Henry.
Skipper Rohit Sharma was soon followed and was arrested for a square leg off Kyle Jamieson. Virat Kohli, who played in his 300th ODI, was unable to make an impact.
Schreyers Ayer and Aqua Patel made a steady innings, with Iyer earning 79 out of 98 balls and Patel contributed 42 out of 61 balls to build a 98-run partnership.
KL Rahul provided good support and added 23 balls from 29 balls. Jadeja’s short stay was shortened by another stunning catch from Williamson at Backward Point.
Hardik Pandya (45 balls off 45 balls) provided India with late prosperity and helped reach 249/9. Matt Henry was a standout New Zealand bowler, taking five wickets.
In their pursuit, New Zealand lost Rachin Rabindra early to Hardik Pandya, but Kane Williamson (81 of 120 balls) held firm and navigated the tricky pitch.
However, the Indian spin quartets of Varun Chakravarthy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel continued to put pressure on them as regular wickets fell.
Williamson was brought to life at 32, but continued to fight, reaching 77 to 50. He maintained his tracking at several timing boundaries. Jadeja’s breakthrough came when he locked up Tom Latham LBW at 14. Chakravarthy then took control and rejected Glenn Phillips and Michael Bracewell.
The Indian spin ruled New Zealand’s fate when Williamson was confused after misjudging the ball from Akyahl Patel.
The lows fell quickly, and Mitchell Santner made a 28 before being bowled to Chakravarthy, who completed the five-wicket haul. India closed out a 44-run victory and secured an unbeaten record in the group stage.
India will now face Australia in their first semi-finals in Dubai on March 4th, while New Zealand will meet South Africa in Lahore on March 5th.
Play xi:
India: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shrayas 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.