Three Matches, Three Wins! India TOPS over New Zealand in Dominating Fashion! Check Updated Champions Trophy Points Table 2025 After IND vs NZ
IND vs NZ: India delivered a solid performance to defeat New Zealand by 44 runs in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. With a win in the last match f the group stage, India have set their semi-final match against the Australian team.
After struggling with the bat early on, India managed to post 249 runs on a tricky pitch. The bowlers, especially the spinners, stepped up brilliantly to defend the target, sealing India's place in the semi-finals.
Toss and Team Updates
New Zealand won the toss and opted to field first, hoping to take advantage of early movement in the pitch. Captain Mitch Santner emphasized the need to challenge themselves in different conditions, as they would soon be playing in Lahore. Daryl Mitchell came into the playing XI, while Devon Conway missed out.
India's captain, Rohit Sharma, revealed that he had wanted to bat first anyway, aiming to test his batters upfront and then challenge his bowlers later. India made a single change, bringing in Varun Chakravarthy in place of Harshit Rana. Rohit stressed the importance of bowling in partnerships, as the Indian bowlers had collectively taken 19 wickets in their previous two matches.
IND vs NZ Match Summary
India Batting First
India posted a competitive total but faced early setbacks. Shubman Gill was trapped LBW, and Rohit Sharma fell attempting a pull shot. The biggest blow came when Kohli, looking in fine touch, was dismissed courtesy of a stunning catch by Glenn Phillips. With India struggling at 30/3, Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel steadied the innings, but their cautious approach meant the scoring rate never really took off.
Iyer brought up a well-crafted fifty before falling to a short ball, while Hardik Pandya played a crucial late cameo, scoring 45 off 45 balls to push India to 249. The pitch appeared slow and assisted spinners, setting up an intriguing second innings.
New Zealand’s Chase
Chasing 250 on a turning pitch, New Zealand never really found their rhythm. Rachin Ravindra fell early, thanks to a sharp catch by Axar Patel. Will Young and Kane Williamson stitched together a brief partnership, but Young was cleaned up by Varun Chakravarthy.
The middle overs were dominated by India's spinners, who choked the scoring rate and forced risky shots. Williamson tried to anchor the innings, but the mounting required run rate got the better of him. Mitchell, Latham, and Phillips attempted to accelerate but struggled against Jadeja and Axar. Chakravarthy's mystery spin proved too difficult to handle, as he finished with a stunning five-wicket haul.
Despite some late fireworks from Mitchell Santner, New Zealand crumbled to 205, handing India a convincing 44-run victory.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Points Table
| Group A | Mat | Won | Lost | Tied | NR | Pts | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | +0.715 |
| New Zealand | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | +0.267 |
| Bangladesh | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -0.443 |
| Pakistan | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1.087 |
| Group B | Mat | Won | Lost | Tied | NR | Pts | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | +2.395 |
| Australia | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | +0.475 |
| Afghanistan | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | -0.990 |
| England | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1.159 |
With this win, India confirmed their place in the semi-finals and will now face Australia in a highly anticipated clash. New Zealand, despite the loss, had already secured their spot in the final four and will take on South Africa in Lahore.
The tournament's structure meant India played all their matches in Dubai, avoiding travel to Pakistan. This scheduling decision, stemming from diplomatic concerns, had raised eyebrows but ultimately did not impact India's dominant group-stage run.
What India Could Learn from the Contest
Despite the victory, India had a few areas to reflect on. Their top-order batting might be a concern, with Gill, Rohit, and Kohli all falling cheaply. While the middle order showed resilience, a stronger start would ease pressure in knockout games. Another takeaway is the importance of acceleration in the death overs—India failed to capitalize fully, with New Zealand’s bowlers restricting them well in the final five overs.
On the brighter side, India’s spin attack looks formidable, with Chakravarthy emerging as a match-winner. His variations, combined with Jadeja and Axar’s accuracy, make India a tough team to beat on slow surfaces.
With the semi-final against Australia approaching, India will need to maintain their bowling form while addressing their batting frailties. The clash promises to be a thriller, as both teams look to book a spot in the grand finale.