Dubai : India defeated New Zealand by 44 runs at Dubai International Stadium, Dubai, in Match 12, Group A encounter of ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Varun Chakaravarthy with spell of 5/42 powered India to end Group stage being undefeated.
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India made 1 change in their playing XI, roping Varun in place of Harshit Rana, a tactics to play an extra spinner.
Batting first, India lost 3 quick wickets – with likes of Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli for 30 runs in powerplay.
Shreyas Iyer (79) & Axar Patel (42) notched an important 98 runs partnership that not only saved India from collapse but also brought them back on track.
Even after Axar’s dismissal Iyer continued his heroics, an innings of 79 (48) comprising 2 sixes and 4 boundaries. He built another valuable 44 runs partnership with KL Rahul (23). The pair ultimately got dismissed on 182, in 39.1 overs.
Hardik Pandya (45) played brilliant knock alongwith tail at the end of innings, bringing India’s score to 249-9 (50).
Kiwi pacer Matt Henry picked 5 wickets hall that helped them restrict India to that total.
Defending 250 runs, India picked Rachin Ravindra early for 17 runs. After 2 big partnerships from New Zealand’s side between Kane Williamson along with Daryl Mitchell (17) & Tom Latham (14), whom Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja dismissed respectively on 133 runs, India got an upper hand over New Zealand.
Despite Williamson’s lone efforts with 81 (120), India continuously picked wickets & ultimately got his wicket in 41st over off Axar Patel.
Varun Chakaravarthy picked 5-fer dismissing likes of Will Young, in form Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, bagging Man of the Match.
The Black Caps got bundled on 205 (45.3), falling short by 44 runs.
India will now face Australia on March 4 in Semi Final 1, whereas, New Zealand will face South Africa in March 5 , in Semi Final 2.
Brief Scorecard :
1st Innings :
IND : 249-9 (50)
Shreyas Iyer : 79 (98)
NZ :
Matt Henry : 8-42-5
2nd Innings :
NZ : 205 (45.3)
Kane Williamson : 81 (120)
IND :
Varun Chakaravarthy : 10-42-5
Result : India win by 44 Runs.
