The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 group stage concluded with India’s 44-run victory over New Zealand on Sunday. With this win, India topped Group A with six points, while New Zealand finished second.
India will now face Australia in the first semi-final on Tuesday in Dubai, while South Africa, the Group B toppers, will take on New Zealand in the second semi-final on Wednesday at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
South Africa secured the top spot in Group B with five points, winning against Afghanistan and England, while their match against Australia was washed out due to rain.
Match Recap: India vs. New Zealand
New Zealand won the toss and opted to bowl first. India’s top-order struggled, slipping to 30/3 early on. A 98-run partnership between Shreyas Iyer (79) and Axar Patel (42) steadied the innings. After their dismissals, India was reduced to 182/6, but a 41-run stand between Ravindra Jadeja (16) and Hardik Pandya (45) helped them post 249/9 in 50 overs.
New Zealand’s Matt Henry was the standout bowler, picking up 5/42 in eight overs.
In response, New Zealand lost wickets at regular intervals. Kane Williamson fought hard with a knock of 81, but Varun Chakravarthy (5/42) spun a web around the middle order. Kuldeep Yadav (2/56), Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja also chipped in with wickets as New Zealand was bowled out for 205 in 45.3 overs.
Final Scorecard
India – 249/9 in 50 overs (Iyer 79, Axar 42, Hardik 45; Henry 5/42)
New Zealand – 205 all out in 45.3 overs (Williamson 81; Chakravarthy 5/42, Kuldeep 2/56)
🔹 India won by 44 runs.