India Stays Unbeaten, Defeats New Zealand by 44 Runs in Champions Trophy
They will face Australia in the first semi-final on Tuesday
India defeated New Zealand by 44 runs in their final Group A match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, held in Dubai.
Batting first, India posted 249/9, with key contributions from Shreyas Iyer (79), Hardik Pandya (45), and Axar Patel (42). Despite a strong bowling performance by New Zealand’s Matt Henry, who claimed 5 wickets, India managed to set a competitive target.
In response, New Zealand were bowled out for 205 in 44.3 overs. Spinner Varun Chakravarthy was the star performer for India, taking a five-wicket haul (5/42) on his Champions Trophy debut.
Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja also chipped in with wickets to restrict the Kiwis. Kane Williamson’s 81 was the lone bright spot for New Zealand.
With this win, India remained unbeaten in the group stage and secured the top spot in Group A. They will face Australia in the first semi-final on Tuesday, while New Zealand will take on South Africa in the second semi-final.
Playing XI:
India: Rohit Sharma (capt), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy.
New Zealand: Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (capt), Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Will O’Rourke.
