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On Sunday, March 2, Rohit Sharma-led Team India defeated New Zealand by 44 runs in their final Group A clash of ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai. After Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel’s 98-run stand in the middle overs, India posted a decent score of 249 runs in their stipulated 50 overs. With the Kiwis looking good, Indian spinner Varun Chakravarthy turned the game around, picking a fifer to help India register a comfortable victory.
For the unversed, New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner won the toss and elected to field in a scorching Dubai heat. Although, the Kiwis send the Indian top-order back to the pavilion with quick wickets, Shreyas Iyer (79 off 98) and Axar Patel (42 off 61) stitched a crucial stand to put a competitive score on the board.
For New Zealand, Matt Henry was the pick of the bowlers, picking a five-wicket haul in his eight-over spell, whereas Kyle Jamieson, William ORourke, Mitchell Santner and Rachin Ravindra also found themselves among the wickets, picking one each.
India to take on Australia in first semi-final in Dubai on March 4
During their run chase of 250, Will Young and Rachin Ravindra opened for the Kiwis, but Axar Patel’s brilliant running catch gave the Indians their first wicket. Veteran batter, Kane Williamson played a crucial knock of 81 off 120 deliveries, but none of the other batters could assist and support him as they departed in quick succession.
Indian spin sensation, Varun Chakravarthy starred with the ball, picking a fifer, Kuldeep Yadav also got two wickets to his name whereas Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja got a wicket apiece. With a comprehensive win, India climbed to the top of the table with six points in their bag. The Men in Blue will now take on Australia in the first semi-final, scheduled to take place on Tuesday, March 4 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai.
