India emerged victorious against New Zealand by 44 runs in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal. Led by spinner Varun Chakravarthy’s exceptional performance, India set a total of 249, while New Zealand was bowled out for 205. India will now face Australia in a highly anticipated semifinal, mirroring the recent World Cup final, as they seek to continue their winning streak in the tournament.
In a thrilling semifinal, India triumphed over New Zealand by 44 runs to secure a matchup against Australia, reminiscent of the 2023 Cricket World Cup final. Spinner Varun Chakravarthy played a pivotal role, achieving figures of 5 for 42, helping to bowl New Zealand out for 205 runs. India demonstrated dominance throughout the tournament, winning all their group matches to top Group A, and are set to play their semifinal fixture in Dubai.
During their innings, India struggled initially but recovered to post a total of 249 for 9. Shreyas Iyer was instrumental with his score of 79, supported by a quick-fire 45 from Hardik Pandya. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Matt Henry impressed with his bowling performance, taking 5 wickets for 42 runs. Despite a valiant effort from Kane Williamson, who scored 81, New Zealand could not match India’s total.
India’s spinners excelled on a conducive pitch, with Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja also contributing crucial wickets. As New Zealand faced mounting pressure, they lost important batting partners, preventing Williamson from finding stability. Earlier, India was in a precarious position at 30 for 3, with Virat Kohli dismissed for just 11 runs after a brilliant catch from Glenn Phillips. The team’s fortitude, particularly from Iyer and Patel, allowed them to recover effectively.
The match revealed the evolving dynamics of the tournament, especially as India is playing all of their matches at the Dubai International Stadium due to security concerns regarding Pakistan. In contrast, South Africa will advance and face New Zealand in Lahore next, following their victory over England. With India’s strong performance, anticipation surrounding their upcoming clash with Australia continues to build as they seek redemption in the semifinals.
India’s victory against New Zealand sets a thrilling stage for their upcoming semifinal match against Australia, echoing their previous World Cup encounter. With strong individual performances from both their batsmen and bowlers, particularly Varun Chakravarthy, India has shown they are formidable contenders in the tournament. This exciting clash, taking place in Dubai, promises to be a highlight of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
