NEW DELHI: India beat New Zealand in a thrilling match at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, showcasing a blend of resilience and skill. Held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, the game was a rollercoaster of emotions for fans on both sides.
India’s innings began shaky, with early wickets falling quickly. Shubman Gill was trapped LBW by Matt Henry in just the third over. Rohit Sharma, after a promising start, was caught at deep square leg attempting a pull shot. The crowd held its breath as Virat Kohli, playing his 300th ODI, edged a ball to Glenn Phillips, who took a spectacular catch.
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Shreyas Iyer’s resilience
Amidst the chaos, Shreyas Iyer stood tall, anchoring the innings with a resilient 79 runs. His partnership with Axar Patel, who contributed a steady 42 runs, was crucial in stabilizing the innings. Together, they added 98 runs for the fourth wicket, steering India out of trouble. Hardik Pandya’s crucial 45 runs further bolstered the total and helped India post a competitive 249/9.
Varun Chakravarthy’s magic
New Zealand was off to a good start, with Kane Williamson leading from the front. However, India’s bowlers, particularly the spinners, had other plans. Varun Chakravarthy was the star of the show, claiming his maiden ODI five-wicket haul with figures of 5/42 in 9.3 overs. His deceptive variations and unplayable deliveries left the Kiwi batsmen bewildered, unable to read or time him well.
The spin trio of Varun, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja weaved a web around the Kiwi batsmen, collectively taking nine out of the ten wickets. New Zealand, despite a valiant effort from Williamson, faltered under the mounting pressure and were bowled out for 205.
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India’s All-Round Performance
India’s victory highlighted their all-round excellence, with both batsmen and spinners contributing significantly. Varun’s outstanding performance could earn him another chance against Australia, while pacers like Arshdeep Singh or Harshit Rana might also be considered to strengthen the attack.
The match had it all: early wickets, stunning catches, strong partnerships, and superb spin bowling. India’s win secured their top spot in Group A and set up an exciting semi-final against Australia. This victory will be remembered as a highlight of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
