India delivered a commanding performance to defeat New Zealand by 44 runs in their final Group A match of the ICC Champions Trophy at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday (Mar 02). This victory ensured India topped their group, setting up a blockbuster semifinal against Australia. It would be a treat to watch for the cricket fans, given the recent rivalry in the ICC knockout games between these two teams.
 |
| Image Credits: ESPN Cricinfo |
Batting first after New Zealand won the toss, India posted a competitive 249/9 in 50 overs. Shreyas Iyer anchored the innings with a composed 79, while Hardik Pandya’s brisk 45 and Axar Patel’s 42 provided crucial late momentum to get to this competitive total. New Zealand’s Matt Henry shone with a fiery 5/42, but India’s total proved defendable on a pitch that slowed as the game progressed.
In response, New Zealand’s chase hinged on Kane Williamson’s gritty 81, but India’s spinners turned the tide. Varun Chakravarthy, making his tournament debut, was the standout performer, claiming a sensational 5/42 to dismantle the Kiwi batting lineup. His variations bamboozled the opposition, while Axar Patel (1/32) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/56) tightened the screws in the middle overs. New Zealand crumbled from a promising position of 133/3 to 205 all out in 45.3 overs, unable to counter India’s spin dominance.
Captain Rohit Sharma praised the team’s resilience, highlighting the Axar-Shreyas partnership and Chakravarthy’s impact. This win extends India’s unbeaten run in the group stage, following victories over Bangladesh and Pakistan. As they prepare to face Australia on March 4, India’s spin-heavy attack and newfound batting depth signal their intent to reclaim the Champions Trophy title in Dubai.
Brief Scores: India - 249/9 in 50 overs (Shreyas Iyer - 79, Matt Henry - 5/42) defeated New Zealand - 205 all out in 45.3 overs (Kane Williamson - 81, Varun Chakravarthy - 5/42) by a margin of 44 runs
