Shreyas Iyer’s composed 79 and Hardik Pandya’s late blitz guide India to a competitive total in their final ICC Champions Trophy group-stage match.
Dubai [UAE], March 2 – A gritty half-century by Shreyas Iyer (79 off 98) and a late counterattack by Hardik Pandya (45 off 45) helped India post a competitive total of 249/9 against New Zealand in their final ICC Champions Trophy group-stage match on Sunday.
After early setbacks left India struggling at 30/3, a 98-run partnership between Iyer and Axar Patel (42 off 61) stabilized the innings. Hardik’s explosive finish, combined with Ravindra Jadeja’s 16 off 20, gave India a fighting total on a challenging Dubai pitch.
Early Collapse: India Stumbles to 30/3
New Zealand, having won the toss and opted to bowl, struck early. Shubman Gill (2 off 7) fell LBW to Matt Henry, leaving India at 15/1 in 2.5 overs.
Virat Kohli, playing his 300th ODI, walked in with high expectations, but skipper Rohit Sharma (15 off 16) departed soon after, mistiming a pull shot off Kyle Jamieson straight to Will Young at square leg. India was 22/2 in 5.1 overs.
Kohli started with two stylish boundaries but perished for 11 off 14 after an aggressive shot found Glenn Phillips at backward point. With India at 30/3 in 6.4 overs, the middle order had a massive rebuilding task ahead.
Iyer & Axar Rebuild India’s Innings
At 37/3 after 10 overs, Iyer (5) and Axar (3)** took a measured approach to stabilize the innings. A sweep shot from Axar brought up India’s 50 in 15.1 overs, while Iyer accelerated with three boundaries off Will O’Rourke in the next over.
Their 50-run stand came in 85 balls, and India reached 100/3 in 24.4 overs. Iyer brought up his half-century off 75 balls, guiding India past the halfway mark at 104/3.
The duo’s 98-run stand ended at 128/4, as Axar fell for 42 after miscuing Rachin Ravindra’s delivery to Kane Williamson at backward square leg.
Iyer Anchors, Hardik Finishes in Style
Even after Axar’s departure, Iyer kept the scoreboard ticking, striking a big six off Rachin to bring up India’s 150 in 33.2 overs. However, a short ball from O’Rourke proved to be his undoing, as his pull shot found Will Young, ending his fine knock of 79 off 98 balls (4 fours, 2 sixes). India was 172/5 in 36.2 overs.
KL Rahul struggled to find rhythm and fell for 23 off 29, caught behind off Mitchell Santner, leaving India at 182/6 in 39.1 overs.
With Jadeja at the crease, Hardik Pandya shifted gears, bringing up India’s 200 in 42.4 overs. Hardik smashed quick boundaries off O’Rourke and Henry, but their 41-run stand ended at 223/7 when Jadeja was dismissed for 16 off 20 by Henry, with Williamson pulling off a stunning catch at backward point.
In the 49th over, Hardik launched Jamieson for two boundaries and a six, taking 15 runs off the over. However, his explosive innings ended at 45 off 45 balls (4 fours, 2 sixes), falling to Henry’s slower bouncer at 246/8 in 49.3 overs.
Henry’s Five-Wicket Haul Restricts India
India finished at 249/9, with Mohammed Shami dismissed on the last ball. Matt Henry starred with 5/45 in 8 overs, while Santner, O’Rourke, Rachin, and Jamieson picked up a wicket each.
With 250 to defend, India will look to its bowlers to maintain their unbeaten record in the group stage and seal a third consecutive win in the tournament.