DUBAI: India wrapped up their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 group stage campaign in impressive fashion, securing the top spot with a 44-run victory over New Zealand at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.
The Men in Blue extended their unbeaten streak, heading into the semi-finals with strong momentum on their side. India set a modest target of 250 runs, which New Zealand failed to chase, managing only 205 runs despite a valiant 81-run knock from captain Kane Williamson.
Williamson’s efforts stood out as he fought a lone battle against India’s spin-heavy attack, facing 120 balls and hitting seven boundaries. Mitchell Santner (28) and Will Young (22) were the only other notable contributors, while the rest of the New Zealand batters fell cheaply.
India’s bowlers, led by Varun Chakravarthy, were the stars of the chase. Chakravarthy claimed 5 wickets for just 42 runs in his 10 overs, while Kuldeep Yadav chipped in with two wickets.
Earlier in the day, New Zealand’s decision to bowl first paid off as their bowlers restricted India to 249/9 in their 50 overs. Matt Henry was the pick of the bowlers, taking 5 wickets for 42 runs in his eight overs, supported by Kyle Jamieson, who also made early breakthroughs.
India’s innings got off to a rocky start as Jamieson and Henry reduced them to 30/3 in just 6.4 overs, dismissing Shubman Gill (2), Rohit Sharma (15), and Virat Kohli (11). However, Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel steadied the ship with a crucial 98-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Patel scored 42 off 61 balls, but he was dismissed by Rachin Ravindra in the 30th over.
Iyer continued to hold the innings together, top-scoring for India with a resilient 79 off 98 balls, including four fours and two sixes. His knock was part of a brief 44-run partnership with KL Rahul before he was dismissed.
India’s innings fell apart quickly after Iyer’s departure, slipping to 223/7 in 45.5 overs. However, a quick-fire 45-run cameo from Hardik Pandya lifted the total to a competitive 249.
Read more: ICC Champions Trophy: India Sets 250-Runs Target for New Zealand
Matt Henry’s remarkable five-wicket haul and the support from Jamieson, O’Rourke, Mitchell Santner, and Ravindra helped New Zealand keep India’s total in check.
Despite Williamson’s lone fight, New Zealand fell short, and India sealed the 44-run victory, securing top spot in the group ahead of their semi-final clash.
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