New Delhi: India set up a cracking semi-final against Australia in the Champions Trophy 2025 on Sunday, March 02 after thrashing New Zealand by 44 runs in their final group-stage clash at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai. Shreyas Iyer’s brilliant half-century and a spin masterclass from Varun Chakaravarthy helped India outclass the Kiwis to continue their winning run in the tournament.
New Zealand produced an excellent bowling effort combined with some exceptional fielding to restrict India to a moderate 249/9 in 40 overs. However, Chakaravarthy’s fifer helped India bundle out the Kiwis for 205 runs in their chase to secure a thumping victory. It was India’s third win in a row as they topped the Group A table and will now meet Australia in the first semi-final in Dubai on Tuesday.
While Iyer continued his impressive run with the willow with a terrific knock of 79 runs under pressure to lift India to a fighting total, Chakaravarthy stole the show on his Champions Trophy debut. The mystery spinner ran through the New Zealand batting line-up to finish with excellent figures of 5/42 off his 10 overs and make a strong case for selection ahead of the all-important semi-final against Australia.
Overall, India remained dominant throughout their group-stage campaign in the multi-nation tournament with the batters firing all cylinders and the bowlers complimenting them well. Barring skipper Rohit Sharma, who is yet to notch up a big knock, nearly every other batter contributed well in India’s unbeaten run with the bowlers too stepping up when required.
Major talking points as clinical India reach Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final:
1) Rohit Sharma fails to fire
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma headed into the Champions Trophy on the back of a blistering ton against England in the recently concluded ODI series at home. However, the Hitman failed to replicate his heroics in the group stage of the all-important tournament. Rohit was arguably the weakest link in India’s batting in the group stage with only 76 runs from 3 matches.
The senior batter started the tournament with a promising 46 against Bangladesh in India’s opener but his performances continued to dip. He managed only 35 runs in the next two games against Pakistan and New Zealand, failing to provide India with strong starts at the top. With India into the semi-finals now, Rohit will be hopeful of regaining his touch amid questions over his future in ODIs.
2) Kohli, Gill and Iyer among the runs
Barring Rohit Sharma, India’s batting line-up didn’t disappoint at all during the group stage with the likes of Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer all contributing. Iyer was arguably the standout performer with terrific knocks in the middle order. The right-hander is currently India’s highest run-getter in the tournament with 150 runs at an average of 50 in 3 matches.
Gill was equally impressive at the top as he notched up 149 runs in 3 matches, including a sublime ton against Bangladesh and a valuable 46-run knock against Pakistan. Kohli shut his critics in style with another memorable knock against Pakistan as he slammed an unbeaten ton to guide India home in the high-profile clash. Kohli has scored 133 runs in 3 matches in the tournament so far.
3) Will Varun Chakaravarthy pip Kuldeep Yadav?
Varun Chakaravarthy made the most of his opportunity after getting his debut against New Zealand in India’s final group game on Sunday. The mystery spinner spun a web around the Kiwi batters as he bagged a fifer to help India record a clinical 44-run victory by successfully defending a modest total of 249 runs in Dubai.
Chakaravarthy showcased what India were missing from the spinners with his wizardry as he bamboozled the Kiwi batters one after another to finish with figures of 5/42 of his 10 overs. Thanks to his heroics, the Indian team management now have a major selection headache to address as they might be tempted to pick Chakarvarthy over Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI against Australia in the semi-final.
Shreyas Iyer continued his impressive run with the bat while Varun Chakaravarthy made an instant impact on his debut as India thrashed New Zealand to end their group-stage campaign unbeaten in Champions Trophy 2025. India will take on Australia in a blockbuster semi-final in Dubai on Tuesday. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
