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| The Road to Victory India vs. New Zealand Champions Trophy 2025 |
On March 2, 2025, the Dubai International Cricket Stadium witnessed a gripping encounter between two cricketing powerhouses, India and New Zealand, in the final group-stage match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. With both teams already qualified for the semifinals, the stakes were about securing the top spot in Group A and gaining momentum ahead of the knockout rounds. What unfolded was a tale of resilience, exceptional spin bowling, and contrasting fortunes, as India emerged victorious by 44 runs, setting up a blockbuster semifinal clash with Australia. The match was defined by Varun Chakravarthy’s sensational five-wicket haul, Shreyas Iyer’s gritty batting, and New Zealand’s valiant but ultimately futile resistance led by Kane Williamson.
The Build-Up: A Clash of Titans
India entered the game unbeaten, having dispatched Bangladesh and Pakistan with clinical six-wicket victories earlier in the tournament. Under Rohit Sharma’s leadership, the Men in Blue were brimming with confidence, bolstered by a formidable batting lineup and a versatile bowling attack. New Zealand, led by Mitchell Santner, were equally impressive, having secured their semifinal berth with wins over Pakistan and Bangladesh. Their disciplined bowling and dynamic batting made them a formidable opponent, especially given their historical edge over India in ICC tournaments.
The Dubai pitch, known for its sluggish nature and assistance to spinners, promised a tactical battle. With India playing all their matches in the UAE due to logistical arrangements with the tournament’s co-host Pakistan, they had acclimatized well to the conditions. New Zealand, meanwhile, arrived in Dubai after playing in Pakistan, facing the challenge of adapting quickly to a slower surface. The toss, won by Santner, saw New Zealand opt to bowl first, banking on their seamers to exploit early moisture and their fielding prowess to stifle India’s star-studded batting order.
India’s Batting: Early Collapse and a Shreyas Iyer Rescue Act
India’s innings got off to a disastrous start. Matt Henry, New Zealand’s pace spearhead, struck in the opening overs, trapping Shubman Gill leg-before-wicket for just 2 runs. Gill, fresh off a century against Bangladesh, couldn’t replicate his form as Henry’s pinpoint accuracy found his pads. Soon after, captain Rohit Sharma fell for 15, attempting a pull shot off Kyle Jamieson only to be caught by Will Young at mid-on. The crowd, already buzzing for Virat Kohli’s 300th ODI, was stunned when Kohli, too, departed cheaply for 11. Glenn Phillips produced a moment of brilliance at point, diving to his right to take a sensational one-handed catch off Henry’s bowling, leaving India reeling at 30/3 inside seven overs.
The early collapse exposed India’s vulnerability against New Zealand’s disciplined bowling and electric fielding. However, Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel stepped up to stage a remarkable recovery. Iyer, under scrutiny for his inconsistent form, played with composure, while Axar, promoted up the order, brought stability. Together, they stitched a crucial 98-run partnership off 136 balls, expertly rotating the strike and picking off boundaries on a tricky surface. Iyer’s elegant drives and Axar’s deft footwork against spin kept India afloat, pushing the score past 100.
The partnership ended in the 34th over when Axar, on 42, miscued a paddle sweep off Rachin Ravindra, and Kane Williamson took a stunning one-handed catch at short fine leg. KL Rahul joined Iyer but struggled to find fluency, managing 23 before being stumped off Santner’s bowling. Iyer pressed on, reaching a well-crafted 79 before falling to Will O’Rourke, caught by Young. His knock, laced with patience and precision, laid the foundation for a late surge.
Hardik Pandya provided the finishing touch, smashing 45 off 36 balls with a flurry of boundaries in the death overs. However, Matt Henry returned to cap a brilliant spell, dismissing Pandya and Mohammed Shami in the final over to finish with figures of 5/42—his third five-wicket haul in ODIs. India ended at 249/9, a modest total but one that seemed defendable given the pitch’s spin-friendly nature and India’s bowling arsenal.
New Zealand’s Chase: Williamson’s Lone Battle
Chasing 250, New Zealand needed a solid start, but India’s spinners had other plans. Varun Chakravarthy, making his first appearance in the tournament, struck early, removing opener Will Young. Young, who had been in fine form, was undone by Chakravarthy’s guile, leaving New Zealand at 1/1. Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson then steadied the ship, but Ravindra’s departure for a modest score shifted the pressure onto Williamson.
Williamson, the linchpin of New Zealand’s batting, played with characteristic poise, countering India’s spinners with deft footwork and precise shot-making. He found an ally in Tom Latham, but the Indian spin trio—Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja—tightened the screws. Latham fell for 14, trapped leg-before by Jadeja, while Daryl Mitchell was dismissed by Kuldeep, leaving New Zealand at 98/4.
With the required run rate climbing above eight, Williamson anchored the innings, reaching a sublime 81. His paddle sweeps and drives kept New Zealand in the hunt, but the mounting pressure forced risky shots from his partners. Glenn Phillips (12) and Michael Bracewell fell to Chakravarthy’s variations, with Phillips trapped leg-before and Bracewell deceived by a googly. At 133/6, New Zealand’s hopes rested squarely on Williamson and Santner.
The turning point came in the 41st over when Axar Patel, brought back into the attack, dismissed Williamson. Attempting an aerial drive, Williamson missed the ball, and KL Rahul completed a sharp stumping. His departure for 81 triggered a collapse, as New Zealand lost their last seven wickets for just 72 runs. Santner fought valiantly with 28 off 31 balls, including a few lusty blows, but Chakravarthy’s quick cross-seam delivery crashed into his stumps, ending any lingering hopes. Matt Henry, who had earlier starred with the ball, became Chakravarthy’s fifth victim, caught by Kohli at long-on.
Kuldeep Yadav wrapped up the innings, cleaning up Will O’Rourke for 1 as New Zealand were bowled out for 205 in 45.3 overs. India’s spinners had decimated the opposition, with Chakravarthy’s 5/42 earning him the Player of the Match award. The 44-run victory ensured India finished atop Group A, unbeaten in the league stage.
Key Performances and Turning Points
Varun Chakravarthy’s spell was the standout moment of the match. Returning to international cricket in Dubai—where he had struggled in the 2021 T20 World Cup—he turned the game on its head with his mystery spin. His figures of 5/42 rank among the best by an Indian in Champions Trophy history, and his ability to outfox New Zealand’s middle order was pivotal. This performance also marked the earliest five-wicket haul by an Indian in their ODI career, eclipsing Stuart Binny’s record.
Shreyas Iyer’s 79 was equally crucial, rescuing India from a precarious position and setting a competitive total. His partnership with Axar Patel (42) showcased India’s batting depth, while Hardik Pandya’s late flourish ensured the total crossed 249. For New Zealand, Matt Henry’s 5/42 was a testament to his skill, but their batting couldn’t capitalize on his efforts. Kane Williamson’s 81 was a lone bright spot, but his dismissal marked the beginning of the end.
The match also highlighted New Zealand’s fielding brilliance, with Phillips and Williamson pulling off spectacular catches. However, their inability to counter India’s spinners on a turning track proved decisive.
Statistical Milestones and Records
The game was a treasure trove of milestones. Chakravarthy’s five-for was the second by an Indian on Champions Trophy debut, following Mohammed Shami’s 5/53 against Bangladesh earlier in the tournament. India’s spinners collectively took nine wickets—the most in a single innings in Champions Trophy history, surpassing Pakistan’s eight against Kenya in 2017. The match also saw the rare occurrence of two five-wicket hauls—Henry’s and Chakravarthy’s—making it a historic contest.
Virat Kohli’s 300th ODI ended in disappointment with just 11 runs, but his legacy remained intact. Shreyas Iyer’s knock bolstered his case as a reliable middle-order batsman, while India’s 13th consecutive ODI toss loss added a quirky footnote to their campaign.
Post-Match Reflections and Semifinal Implications
Rohit Sharma hailed the victory as a “perfect” performance against a quality side, emphasizing the importance of finishing the group stage on a high. Santner acknowledged India’s spin dominance, noting the challenge posed by their “four quality spinners” on a slow wicket. Chakravarthy, reflecting on his Dubai redemption, credited his teammates for keeping him calm under pressure.
The win set up a tantalizing semifinal against Australia on March 4 in Dubai—a rematch of the 2023 ODI World Cup final. New Zealand, meanwhile, will face South Africa in Lahore on March 5. India’s spin quartet, now in ominous form, looms as the biggest threat to any team vying for the title.
Conclusion: India’s Spin Supremacy Shines Through
The India vs. New Zealand clash in the Champions Trophy 2025 was a microcosm of modern ODI cricket—tactical nous, individual brilliance, and adaptability under pressure. While New Zealand showcased their bowling and fielding prowess, India’s spinners, led by Chakravarthy, proved the difference. As the tournament progresses, this match will be remembered as a defining moment, highlighting India’s resilience and their knack for rising to the occasion in ICC events. With Australia awaiting, the Men in Blue carry forward a wave of momentum, poised to reclaim the Champions Trophy crown.
