Credit: ICC
India and New Zealand are gearing up for their clash against each other in the Champions Trophy 2025 final to be held at the Dubai International Stadium on March 9. The Indian cricket team have looked stunning in the competition with four consecutive victories, but they will be wary of the Kiwi side who have perturbed them in the last few years in ICC events.
In the marquee game, both teams will expect their bowlers to step up and deliver effective spells to their teams. Both sides have confronted each other in ICC knockout games on four occasions in which bowlers stood tall and won the player of the match (POTM) award three times. Noting this mind-boggling record, SportsTiger is discussing best bowling spells in the knockout matches between the Men in Blue and the Black Caps.
List of Top bowling spells between IND vs NZ in knockout matches
5. Venkatesh Prasad’s 3/27 in Champions Trophy 2000 Final
Venkatesh Prasad looked stunning with the ball while defending 264 for India in the Champions Trophy 2000 final in Nairobi, as he dismissed Craig Spearman and Stephen Fleming in the initial overs of New Zealand’s chase and handed his side momentum. However, the pacer couldn’t stall his team’s defeat, but his magnificent spell (3/27 in seven overs) received appreciation. Chris Cairns, who guided the Kiwi team to a four-wicket win, became the POTM award winner for his unbeaten 102 off 113.
4. Matt Henry 3/37 in ODI World Cup 2019 Semi-Final
Matt Henry came heavily on India in the ODI World Cup 2019 semi-final played in Manchester. Chasing 240 runs, the Men in Blue lost their openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul early as Henry trapped them with his disciplined bowling. Within the first powerplay, he picked up three batters which included the scalp of Dinesh Karthik in the 10th over of the innings. Henry’s 3/37 figures got him the POTM award.
3. Tim Southee’s 4/48 in World Test Championship 2021 Final
After hammering India in the World Cup 2019, New Zealand troubled Virat Kohli’s men in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2021 final played in Southampton. In the second innings of the game, Tim Southee displayed his bowling mettle and got rid of India’s key batters Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma. The speedster concluded his spell with 4/48 figures to help his team bundle out India on 170, which allowed New Zealand to win the inaugural edition of the WTC final.
2. Kyle Jamieson’s 5/31 in World Test Championship 2021 Final
Kyle Jamieson showcased his bowling brilliance against India in the WTC final 2021 and won the POTM award for chipping in with 5/31 figures during his team’s eight-wicket win. Batting first, India got folded on 217 in the first innings. In India’s collapse, the lanky speedster played a vital role with his fifer. His five-wicket haul included the crucial wickets such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Rishabh Pant.
1. Mohammed Shami’s 7/57 in ODI World Cup 2023 Semi-Final
Mohammed Shami did attacking bowling against New Zealand in the ODI World Cup 2023 semi-final held at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. Defending a humongous score of 397, the hosts contained the Black Caps on 327 and Shami registered 7/57 figures in his 9.5-over spell.
