Picture : BCCI/ X
With both India and New Zealand having qualified for the semi-finals the last match of Group A was basically which team finished at number 1 and number 2 .
India which has played it’s previous two matches at the same venue made full use of the advantage as they beat New Zealand by 44 runs at the Dubai International cricket stadium .
India with this win set- up a semi- final clash against Australia. While the Black caps will take on South Africa in the second semi- final at Lahore.
Earlier, Mitchel Santner the New Zealand Skipper won the toss and opted to bowl first . India lost Shubman Gill early for ( 2), Skipper Rohit Sharma after an aggressive start fell for ( 15), Virat Kohli was out to brilliant one- handed right hand catch by Glenn Phillips which left him stunned . Kiwis bowled right length and backed by brilliant fielding.
Shreyas Iyer put India’s innings on track with fine 79 ( 98 balls , 4 fours 2 sixes), Axar Patel gave him good support with a timely 42( 61 balls, 3 fours, 1 six) , Kl Rahul ( 23). All- rounder Hardik Pandya gave the power finish with his cameo of 45 ( 45 balls, 4 fours 2 sixes) . Ravindra Jadeja was out to stunning left- hand catch by Kane Williamson for ( 16 ) as India finally finished at 249/ 9 in their 50 overs. The hopes of 260- 280 target did not happen . Courtesy New Zealand bowling and fielding.
For the Black Caps : Matt Henry fires against India always with 5/ 42 ( 10 overs) Big Kyle Jamieson 1/ 31 (8 overs) , William ORourke 1/ 47 ( 9 overs), Mitchell Santner 1/ 41 ( 10 overs) , Michael Bracewell 0/ 56 ( 9 overs) , Rachin Ravindra 1/ 31 ( 6 overs)
With Indian spinners the chase for the Kiwis would be tricky And they soon found out . Devon Conway was rested and in came Daryl Mitchell. Rachin Ravindra fell early for 6 . Will Young ( 22), Daryl Mitchell struggled for his 35 balls 17 . Tom Latham ( 14), Glenn Phillips ( 12) , Michael Bracewell ( 2) .
Unfazed by wickets around him former Skipper Kane Williamson after some disappointing single figures with the bat in previous games blasted his way back to form with 81 ( 120 balls, 7 fours) . His return to form is heartening for the Kiwis ahead of the semi- finals. Skipper Santner threw his bat around for a quick 28 as India spinners kept runs under check . And the pressure meant Kiwis lost wickets at regular intervals. Matt Henry ( 2), William ORourke ( 1) , Kyle Jamieson not out ( 9). New Zealand bowled out for 205/ 10 in 45. 3 overs. India winning hy 44 runs .
For India : Spinner Varun Chakravarthy in place of Harshit Rana gabbed the chance with both hands to bag 5/ 42 ( 10 overs) Kuldeep Yadav 2/ 56 ( 9.3 overs) , Hardik Pandya 1/ 22 ( 4 overs), Axar Patel 1/ 31 ( 1 0 overs) , Ravindra Jadeja 1/ 36 ( 8 overs) , Mohammed Shami 0/ 15 ( 4 overs)
Match: Champions Trophy, 12th Match
Venue: Dubai | Date: March 02, 2025
