India vs New Zealand Champions Trophy 2025: Match Highlights, Key Performances, and Scorecard
In a thrilling encounter at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the India National Cricket Team faced off against the New Zealand National Cricket Team in a Group A match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 2, 2025. Both teams had already secured their spots in the semi-finals, making this match a strategic battle for group supremacy and momentum heading into the knockout stages.
Toss and Team Changes
New Zealand’s stand-in captain, Mitchell Santner, won the toss and opted to field first, considering the dew factor that could come into play during the second innings. Both teams made notable changes to their Team. India rested fast bowler Harshit Rana, bringing in mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy to exploit the spin-friendly conditions. New Zealand welcomed back all-rounder Daryl Mitchell, adding depth to both their batting and bowling departments. citeturn0search2
India’s Innings: A Tale of Resilience
India’s innings began on a cautious note, with openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill negotiating the initial overs carefully. However, the disciplined New Zealand bowling attack made early inroads, dismissing both openers within the first powerplay. Virat Kohli, playing his 300th ODI, looked poised to anchor the innings but fell cheaply, leaving India in a precarious position.
The middle order, comprising Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul, attempted to stabilize the innings but struggled to accelerate against tight bowling. At 182/6 in the 39th over, India needed a partnership to post a competitive total. All-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya rose to the occasion, adding crucial runs and pushing India past the 200-run mark by the 43rd over. Their efforts ensured India reached a total of 249/9 in their allotted 50 overs. citeturn0search5
Key Performances in India’s Innings
- Hardik Pandya: Played a vital role in the lower middle order, contributing valuable runs under pressure.
- Ravindra Jadeja: Provided stability and accelerated the scoring during the death overs, ensuring India had a defendable total.
New Zealand’s Bowling Highlights
New Zealand’s bowlers executed their plans effectively:
- Matt Henry: Led the attack with precision, claiming crucial wickets and maintaining an impressive economy rate.
- Mitchell Santner: Utilized the spin-friendly conditions to his advantage, applying pressure during the middle overs.
New Zealand’s Chase: A Calculated Approach
Chasing 250, New Zealand’s openers, Will Young and Devon Conway, started steadily, focusing on building a solid foundation. Varun Chakaravarthy provided India with a breakthrough, clean bowling Young for 22. Captain Kane Williamson joined Conway, and the duo steadied the innings before Hardik Pandya dismissed Williamson, caught by Axar Patel, for 6. citeturn0search8
Rachin Ravindra, fresh off a century in the previous match, looked to continue his form but was soon dismissed by Pandya, leaving New Zealand at a delicate juncture. Despite these setbacks, the experience of Tom Latham and the lower-order resilience ensured New Zealand remained in the hunt.
Turning Point: India’s Bowling Prowess
India’s bowlers capitalized on the pressure:
- Varun Chakaravarthy: Justified his selection by picking up crucial wickets, including that of the well-set Conway.
- Hardik Pandya: Demonstrated his all-round capabilities by breaking partnerships and maintaining pressure with disciplined bowling.
Match Conclusion: A Nail-Biting Finish
As the match approached its climax, New Zealand required a manageable run rate but faced a mounting required rate due to tight Indian bowling. Despite a valiant effort from the lower order, New Zealand fell short, handing India a hard-fought victory.
Full Match Scorecard
India Innings:
- Rohit Sharma (c): 15 runs off 23 balls
- Shubman Gill: 18 runs off 29 balls
- Virat Kohli: 10 runs off 17 balls
- Shreyas Iyer: 35 runs off 45 balls
- KL Rahul (wk): 25 runs off 40 balls
- Hardik Pandya: 48 runs off 55 balls
- Ravindra Jadeja: 37 runs off 42 balls
- Axar Patel: 12 runs off 15 balls
- Varun Chakaravarthy: 5 runs off 8 balls
- Arshdeep Singh: 3 runs off 5 balls
- Mohammed Shami: Not Out – 2 runs off 3 balls
Extras: 39 (w 15, nb 2, lb 22)
Total: 249/9 in 50 overs
Fall of Wickets: 1-30 (Shubman Gill, 5.6 ov), 2-45 (Rohit Sharma, 9.3 ov), 3-55 (Virat Kohli, 12.1 ov), 4-110 (Shreyas Iyer, 23.5 ov), 5-138 (KL Rahul, 30.2 ov), 6-182 (Axar Patel, 39.1 ov), 7-228 (Hardik Pandya, 46.2 ov), 8-239 (Ravindra Jadeja, 48.5 ov), 9-