Varun Chakravarthy's Magical Spin Leads India to Victory Against New Zealand. The ICC Champions Trophy 2025

 

File: Varun Chakravarthy and Rohit Sharma credit-ICC

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 last group match was played between India and New Zealand at the Dubai International Stadium on 2nd March 2025. Both the teams came into this game on the back of solid performances in their recent games. 

Significance of this match

India and New Zealand have already qualified for the semi-finals. This match was to decide the winner of Group A. Another important aspect was that the result of this game was to decide which teams would face each other in the semi-finals. Both the teams are strong favorites for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, so it was expected that it would be a cracker of a game. The crowd tuned in good numbers to support their sides. India and New Zealand had a great history of producing epic encounters, so this time around, it was no different. It was a great match as both the teams put on good performances to entertain the crowd.

Team News

India went into this match with their winning combination as they field the same playing 11 which has won the last match against Pakistan. For New Zealand, Daryl Mitchel came into the side, replacing Devon Convey.

    Photo: Daryl Mitchel, Eoin Morgan, Chris Woakes credit-ICC

1st Innings and Key Performances 

New Zealand won the toss and elected to field on the track that was looking slow and good for spinners. Keeping in mind the due factor, the Kiwis decided to field first. New Zealand pacers struck early as they rattled through Indian top order. Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli dismissed without making any major impact with the bat. Virat Kohli got out to a brilliant catch by Glen Philips as India was reduced to 30/3 in the 7th over.

Shreyas Iyar and Axar Patel tried to stabilize the Innings, which was in tatters early in the game. Axar Patel scored 42 runs off just 61 balls as he was got out to Rachin Ravindra. Shreyas Iyar played a fine knock and scored 79 runs off 98 balls. O'Rourke struck back to dismiss him at the team score of 172 in the 36th over. 

Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja played some shots and took India to a total of 249/9 in their alloted 50 overs. It was looking like a par total on a tricky wicket. Hardik Pandya scored a run a ball 45 runs. Shreyas Iyar was the top scorer, as he scored 79 off 98 balls. Matt Henry was the pick of the bowlers, as he got 5 for 42 in 8 overs.

                                       Photo: Matt Henry credit-ICC

2nd Innings and Key Performances 

While chasing a tricky score, the Kiwis started carefully as the ball was not coming onto the bat well. Hardik Pandya struck early to dismiss Rachin Ravindra, who was in fine touch. Kane Williamson joined Will Young, and both the batters tried to see off the new ball. Varun Chakravarthy struck back in the 12th over to dismiss Will Young. Daryl Mitchel played some shots, but Kuldeep Yadav trapped him in front to provide India an opportunity to expose the Kiwis' Middle order. 

Indian bowlers bowled beautifully as they squeezed New Zealand well, and they were reduced to 93/3 in the 26th over. Kane Williamson played a fine knock and completed his fine half-century, but no other batter could provide him good support. Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchel, and Glen Philips got a good start, but they couldn't convert it to big ones. Indian spinners caused a lot of problems for them on a pitch that was providing good assistance to spinners. 

     Photo: Kane Williamson credit-ICC

After Kane Williamson's dismissal, none of the other batters could provide resistance to the Indian bowlers. As the required rate kept creeping, Indian spinners got the better of the batters and reduced them to get any momentum in the innings. As New Zealand got out to 205 in the 43rd over. Kane Williamson was the highest run scorer for New Zealand as he scored 81 off 120 balls. 

Varun Chakravarthy got 5 for 42 in his 10 overs. Kuldeep Yadav got 2 for 56 in his 9.3 overs.

Top Performers of the Match

1st Innings

• Shreyas Iyar scored 79 off 98 balls
• Hardik Pandya scored 45 off 45 balls
• Matt Henry got 5 for 42 in his 8 overs.

2nd Innings

• Kane Williamson scored 81 off 120 balls
• Varun Chakravarthy got 5 for 42 in his 10 overs.

Player of the match

Varun Chakravarthy got a well-deserved Player of the Match award for his fine spell. He got 5 for 42 in his 10 overs. His spin bowling caused a lot of problems for Kiwi batters. And they couldn't get any momentum in their innings.

    Photo: Varun Chakravarthy, Glen Philips, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul credit ICC

Where was the match won?

Varun Chakravarthy's fine spell of 5/42 caused a lot of problems for the batters, and it was the defining moment of the match. He bowled beautifully, and Kiwi's batters were unable to handle his spin variations.

What's next for both Teams?

Now, New Zealand will head to Lahore, where they will face South Africa in the 2nd semifinal on the 5th match of 2025, whereas India will face Australia in the 1st semifinal at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on the 4th Match 2025.

So, what do you think which 2 teams will face each other in the final? Which team will win the ICC Champions Trophy 2025? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.