India Triumphs Over New Zealand in Thrilling Champions Trophy 2025 Clash; Varun Chakravarthy’s 5-Wicket Haul Seals Semi-Final Spot
In a high-stakes Group A encounter at the Dubai International Stadium, India defeated New Zealand by 44 runs to secure top spot in their Champions Trophy 2025 group. Spinner Varun Chakravarthy emerged as the hero, claiming a sensational five-wicket haul (5/42) to dismantle the Kiwi chase of 250. With this victory, India will now face Australia in the semi-finals, while New Zealand prepares to battle South Africa in the knockout stage.
Match Summary: India’s Resilience Meets New Zealand’s Grit
India: 249/9 (50 overs)
Shreyas Iyer (79), Axar Patel (42), Matt Henry (5/42)
New Zealand: 205 all out (45.3 overs)
Kane Williamson (81), Varun Chakravarthy (5/42), Kuldeep Yadav (56/2)
Result: India won by 44 runs.
Player of the Match: Varun Chakravarthy (India)
Key Moments: How the Match Unfolded
- India’s Rocky Start: New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner won the toss and opted to bowl, which paid early dividends. Pacer Matt Henry (5/42) rattled India’s top order, reducing them to 30/3 by the 7th over. Rohit Sharma (15), Shubman Gill (2), and Virat Kohli (11) fell cheaply.
- Iyer-Patel Rescue Act: Shreyas Iyer (79 off 98) and Axar Patel (42 off 61) steadied the ship with a gritty 98-run partnership. Their efforts pushed India to 172/5 before both departed in quick succession.
- Lower-Order Contributions: Cameos from KL Rahul (23) and Hardik Pandya (45) helped India post a competitive 249/9, despite Henry’s fifer and stunning catches by Williamson (to dismiss Jadeja) and Glenn Phillips (to remove Kohli).
- Chakravarthy’s Masterclass: Chasing 250, New Zealand relied on Kane Williamson (81), who anchored the innings. However, Varun Chakravarthy’s mix of googlies and leg-breaks triggered a collapse from 145/4 to 205 all out. Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav provided crucial support.
Why This Win Matters
- Group Dominance: India’s victory ensures they avoid South Africa (Group B toppers) in the semi-finals, instead facing Australia.
- Psychological Edge: Breaking New Zealand’s ICC tournament dominance (10-5 head-to-head) boosts morale, especially after India’s 3-0 Test series loss at home in 2024.
- Varun’s Redemption: Chakravarthy, often criticized for inconsistency, silenced critics with his first international five-wicket haul.
Historical Context: India vs New Zealand Rivalry
- Global ICC Events: New Zealand traditionally dominates India, including a 2019 World Cup semi-final win. However, India’s 2023 ODI World Cup semi-final victory hinted at shifting tides.
- Subcontinent Challenge: Despite NZ’s recent Tri-Series wins over Pakistan and South Africa, India’s spin-heavy attack proved superior in Dubai’s conditions.
FAQs: India Won By 44 Runs Against New Zealand
Q1. Where can I watch the India vs Australia semi-final live?
- The match will be streamed live on Hotstar (India) and ESPN+ (globally). Broadcasters include Star Sports and Sky Sports NZ.
Q2. Who were the top performers?
- India: Varun Chakravarthy (5/42), Shreyas Iyer (79).
- New Zealand: Kane Williamson (81), Matt Henry (5/42).
Q3. Why did New Zealand struggle in the chase?
- India’s spinners exploited Dubai’s turning track, with Chakravarthy’s variations decimating the middle order.
Q4. What’s next for both teams?
- India: Faces Australia in Semi-Final 1 on 4 March 2025.
- New Zealand: Takes on South Africa in Semi-Final 2.
Q5. Has India ever won the Champions Trophy?
- Yes, India won in 2002 (shared with Sri Lanka) and 2013 (beat England).
Squads
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy.
New Zealand: Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, William O’Rourke.
Final Thoughts
India’s triumph underscores their adaptability in pressure scenarios, blending youth (Iyer, Gill) with experience (Kohli, Rohit). For New Zealand, Williamson’s class and Henry’s brilliance offer hope, but their middle-order frailty against spin remains a concern. Cricket fans now eagerly await an India-Australia blockbuster, reigniting one of the sport’s fiercest rivalries.