ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Live Score and Key Highlights: India vs New Zealand Clash
As the 12th match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India faced New Zealand at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 2. Both teams had already secured their spots in the semi-finals, making this match crucial for determining the top position in Group A.
Toss Result:
New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl first against India in Dubai.
Team Lineups:
India’s probable lineup featured Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer/Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel/Washington Sundar, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Arshdeep Singh, and Kuldeep Yadav. New Zealand fielded an unchanged lineup, with Will Young, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, and William O’Rourke.
National Anthem and Pre-Match Ceremony
The national anthems of both India and New Zealand were played before the start of the match, as is customary in international cricket events.
Opening Batters
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill opened the batting for India, while Will Young and Devon Conway were expected to open for New Zealand.
Varun Chakravarthy Replacing Harshit Rana
For the IND vs NZ league match, the Indian team made one change: Fast bowler Harshit Rana was excluded from the playing XI, while spinner Varun Chakravarthy replaced him.
Key Highlights and Context
- The match was crucial for determining the top position in Group A.
- India and New Zealand have a long history, with India winning 60 out of 118 ODIs and New Zealand winning 50.
- The outcome would set the tone for the semi-finals, with the winner facing Australia and the loser facing South Africa.
Live Score and Key Moments
The match saw Shubman Gill (2 off 8), Rohit Sharma (14 off 22), and Virat Kohli (11 off 18) early dismissals before Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel orchestrated a 98-run partnership to stabilize the Indian innings. Hardik Pandya’s late-order pyrotechnics pushed the total to 249/9. New Zealand’s bowlers, led by Matt Henry, struggled to contain the Indian innings.
New Zealand’s Early Wickets and Pace Dominance
New Zealand’s early wickets and pace dominance set the tone for their aggression. Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson dismissed Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli, reducing India to 54/3 in the 12th over. Glenn Phillips executed a gravity-defying one-handed catch at backward point off Henry’s bowling to dismiss Kohli.
Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel’s Stabilizing Partnership
Faced with a precarious 54/3, Shreyas Iyer (79 off 98) and Axar Patel (42 off 61) orchestrated a 98-run stand to recalibrate India’s innings. Iyer’s innings blended caution and aggression, targeting Rachin Ravindra’s left-arm spin with reverse sweeps and late cuts.
Hardik Pandya’s Late-Order Pyrotechnics
With India reeling at 187/6, Hardik Pandya (45* off 44) marshaled the tail to push the total to 249/9. His innings featured calculated aggression, including a 148 km/h delivery over deep mid-wicket for six and the exploitation of width to carve boundaries through backward point.
India’s Spin Symphony and New Zealand’s Collapse
Varun Chakravarthy (5/42)24, Kuldeep Yadav (2/34), Axar Patel (1/29), and Ravindra Jadeja (1/38) orchestrated New Zealand’s downfall, exploiting the pitch’s increasing turn and variable bounce. Chakravarthy’s dismissal of Kane Williamson (28 off 35)—trapped lbw by a skidding delivery—crippled New Zealand’s chase.
Tactical and Contextual Nuances: Pitch Dynamics and Selection Gambles
The Dubai surface rewarded spinners as the game progressed. India’s decision to include Varun Chakravarthy over Harshit Rana proved masterful, as his variations exploited the Black Caps’ historical frailty against mystery spin.
Fielding and Catches as Game-Changers
Glenn Phillips’ catch to dismiss Kohli and Tom Latham’s sharp stumping of KL Rahul exemplified New Zealand’s athleticism. Conversely, India’s ground fielding—highlighted by Ravindra Jadeja’s direct hit to run out Mitchell Santner—tightened the noose during critical phases.
Semi-Final Prospects and Strategic Adjustments
India’s victory secured them the top spot in Group A, setting up a semi-final clash against Australia in Dubai. The win also exposed areas for refinement: the top order’s vulnerability to seam and the lower middle order’s overreliance on Pandya. New Zealand, finishing second, will face South Africa in Lahore, necessitating adjustments against pace-friendly conditions.
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