New Zealand Strike Early as India Stumble in Crucial Champions Trophy Clash

New Zealand won the toss and chose to field first against India in their final group-stage match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, being played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

This decision marked the first time India batted first in the tournament.

The Black Caps have made an early impact in their decisive Champions Trophy group-stage clash against India, reducing them to 30/3 after seven overs.

Indian top-order batters Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Shubman Gill were dismissed cheaply, leaving the team in trouble.

India was 37-3 by the end of the 10th over as the Black Caps’ lethal bowling attack dismissed both the openers, Rohit Sharma (15) and Shubhman Gill (2), early into the innings, while star batter Virat Kohli also fell cheaply for just 11 runs.

Both teams had already secured their spots in the semifinals, with the match determining the group winner and semifinal pairings.

India made one change to their lineup, replacing Harshit Rana with Varun Chakravarthy, while New Zealand brought in Daryl Mitchell for Devon Conway.

The match also marks a significant milestone for Virat Kohli, who is playing his 300th ODI. The Indian batting legend recently regained form with a century in India’s victory over Pakistan.

The Black Caps have made one change after their win over Bangladesh, with Devon Conway making way for Daryl Mitchell.

Regardless of the ranking and opponent, India will play the first semi-final in Dubai on Tuesday, having opted not to travel to host nation Pakistan due to political tensions.

Meanwhile, New Zealand will depart for Lahore after the match, with the second semi-final scheduled to take place at Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.

South Africa and Australia have emerged as the top two teams from Group B. Due to India’s decision not to play Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan, both teams will remain uncertain until the final group game on Sunday night about whether they will face India in Dubai on Tuesday or New Zealand in Lahore on Wednesday.

While South Africa will join Australia in waiting in Dubai, one of the squads will have to make the four-hour return trip to Pakistan, depending on whether India or New Zealand wins on Sunday and secures the top spot in Group A.

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.