India vs New Zealand highlights, ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India beat New Zealand by 44 runs, to face Australia in semifinal

hreyas Iyer’s composed 79 off 98 balls and Varun Chakravarthy’s outstanding 5/42 powered India to a 44-run victory over New Zealand in their final Group A match on Sunday, securing their place at the top of the table and setting up a semifinal showdown with Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy.


Despite Iyer’s resilient knock under pressure, New Zealand pacer Matt Henry (5/42) restricted India to 249/9 in 50 overs.

Chasing 250, New Zealand’s strong batting lineup struggled against India’s spin-heavy attack, with Chakravarthy leading the charge. His relentless accuracy and variations dismantled the Blackcaps, bowling them out for 205 in 45.3 overs. Kane Williamson put up a valiant fight with a well-compiled 81, but his efforts were in vain.

With this result, India will face Group B runners-up Australia in the first semifinal on Tuesday in Dubai, while New Zealand will take on South Africa in Lahore on Wednesday.

India’s spinners continued their tournament-long strategy of effectiveness over extravagance, adjusting their approach to suit the conditions. While Ravindra Jadeja extracted significant turn, it was Chakravarthy’s stump-to-stump line that proved to be the most potent weapon against New Zealand’s batters.

Hardik Pandya gave India an early breakthrough, dismissing Rachin Ravindra. From there, India’s spinners took charge.

Williamson, who was dropped on 17 by KL Rahul off Axar Patel, played a well-calculated innings built on timing and placement. However, he lacked support from his teammates. His 44-run stand with Daryl Mitchell for the third wicket briefly steadied New Zealand, but Kuldeep Yadav broke the partnership by trapping Mitchell lbw.

The dismissals of Tom Latham (14), Glenn Phillips (12), and Michael Bracewell (2) in quick succession put further pressure on Williamson. Despite that, the New Zealand captain displayed his class with crisp stroke play, including two elegant cover drives off Jadeja.

However, his resistance came to an end when Axar Patel angled a fuller delivery past him, and Rahul completed a sharp stumping. With Williamson gone, India had the game firmly in their grasp.

Earlier, India’s innings was built on Iyer’s responsible knock, a crucial 98-run partnership with Axar Patel (42 off 61), and a late flourish from Hardik Pandya (45 off 45).

Unlike recent games where the top order provided a solid foundation, Iyer had to anchor the innings from the start after India suffered an early collapse, slipping to 30/3. He reached his half-century in 75 balls, lofting Rachin Ravindra for a six over long-on, while Axar offered steady support at the other end.

Axar’s dismissal came against the run of play when he attempted a scoop off Ravindra, only to find Williamson. Iyer, aiming for a big score, fell short of a century, mistiming a pull shot off Will O’Rourke that was caught by Will Young.

Batting at No. 6, KL Rahul contributed 23 off 29 balls, including a stunning six over long-on off Ravindra. However, his promising innings was cut short by a sharp catch from Latham off Mitchell Santner, who delivered another tidy spell with his well-disguised slower deliveries.

Though wickets at regular intervals disrupted India’s momentum, Hardik provided the late push with aggressive stroke play, propelling India close to the 250-run mark.

The innings had started on a shaky note, with Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli departing early, leaving India in trouble at 30/3. However, Iyer’s steady hand and the contributions from Axar and Hardik ensured India posted a competitive total—one that proved enough for their spinners to dismantle New Zealand and secure victory.

Important to finish on a high. NZ are a good team who are playing some good cricket. Very important to get a good result, we played a perfect game. It was important at that stage (after being 30/3) to build a partnership, and I thought we got to a good total. We have the quality in our bowling to defend that total. (On Chakravarthy) He has something different about him, so wanted to try and see what he can offer. We haven't thought much about the next game, but good headache to have. Critical to possibly win every game and doing everything right in a short tournament. Important to correct mistakes quickly, and that's where we know if your team is going up or going down. It will be a good game, Australia has a rich history of playing ICC tournaments well, but is is about us and what we want to do well on that particular day. It will be a great contest, looking forward to that. Hopefully we can stitch one towards us.

Rohit Sharma, India captain

It was a slower wicket than what we have come against. We knew that going in. India controlled the middle phase better. Shreyas played a great knock that was finished off well by Hardik. It spun a bit more than we thought, and they squeezed us well with four quality spinners. The key for us was getting wickets in the powerplay, and that was good to see. Our next game is in Lahore where Henry will be massive. (On facing South Africa) On those wickets with some pace and bounce, they have four good pacers so we will have to see how we play them. We have to wait and see if it is a used surface.

Mitchell Santner, New Zealand captain

Best figures on Champions Trophy debut

6/52 Josh Hazlewood vs NZ Edgbaston 2017
5/42 Varun Chakaravarthy vs NZ Dubai 2025
5/53 Mohd Shami vs Ban Dubai 2025

Nine wickets by India's spinners is the most by spinners in an innings in Champions Trophy bettering eight by Pakistan against Kenya in Edgbaston in 2017.

Varun Chakaravarthy has picked a five-fer in his second ODI - the earliest by an Indian bowler in his ODI career. The previous earliest was Stuart Binny who picked 6/4 against Bangladesh in Mirpur in 2014 in his third ODI.

This is the first instance of two five-wicket hauls in the same Champions Trophy game.

Best figures for India in Champions Trophy

5/36 Ravindra Jadeja vs WI The Oval 2013
5/42 Varun Chakravarthy vs NZ Dubai 2025
5/53 Mohd Shami vs Ban Dubai 2025
4/38 Sachin Tendulkar vs Aus Dhaka 1998
4/45 Zaheer Khan vs Zim Colombo RPS 2002

First of all I did feel nervous in the initial stages. I have not played many matches for India in the ODI format but as the game went on I felt better. Virat, Rohit, Hardik and Pandya were talking to me and that helped. (on when he knew he was playing this game) I found out last night. I was definitely expecting to play for the country but on the other side I was nervous. It was not a rank turner, but if you bowled in the right places it was giving help. The way Kuldeep, Jaddu and Axar bowled, even the pace bowlers, it was a total team effort.

Varun Chakaravarthy | Player of the Match

The wait is over. The semifinal lineups are set, including India's path forward. India defeated New Zealand by 44 runs in their final Group A match, securing a semifinal clash against Australia.


The India vs Australia semifinal will be played on Tuesday at the Dubai Cricket Stadium.

In the other semifinal, New Zealand will face South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday.

Both India and New Zealand had already sealed their semifinal spots, making their last group match a dead rubber.

If India advance to the final, the title showdown will take place in Dubai.

India began their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a six-wicket win over Bangladesh, followed by another six-wicket victory against arch-rivals Pakistan, and then a dominant win over New Zealand in their final group-stage match.

In the tournament opener, Shubman Gill's century and Mohammed Shami's five-wicket haul powered India past Bangladesh.

Virat Kohli then stole the show with a brilliant century, guiding India to a commanding win over Pakistan.

India beat New Zealand by 44 runs, to face Australia in semifinal

WICKET! Varun Chakravarthy claims a five-for. He dismisses Matt Henry for 2 runs. Superb bowling from the spinner. Great bowling. New Zealand are 9 down now.

New Zealand need 54 runs in 32 balls

WICKET! Varun Chakravarthy castles Mitchell Santner for 28 runs. New Zealand are 8 down now. Varun Chakaravarthy gets his fourth now!

New Zealand need 55 runs in 34 balls

SIX! Varun Chakravarthy to Santner. The New Zealand skipper smashes the spinner over long-off for a maximum. New Zealand need 66 runs in 42 balls

SIX! Kuldeep Yadav to Santner. It is a tossed up delivery. Santner comes down the track and smokes it over the bowler's head for a maximum. A clean hit from the New Zealand skipper.

WICKET! Axar Patel ends Kane Williamson's stay at 81. Axar Patel takes the crucial wicket on his final delivery! He delivers a straight ball, pitched up on middle stump with an inward angle. Kane Williamson advances down the pitch attempting to loft it over the bowler but fails to make contact. Being significantly out of his crease, he abandons any attempt to return. KL Rahul gathers the ball and completes the stumping. Williamson departs after a well-made 81 from 120 deliveries, potentially dealing a decisive blow to New Zealand's chances.

NEW ZEALAND 169/7, need 81 runs in 54 balls vs INDIA

WICKET! Varun Chakravarthy takes his third wicket. Michael Bracewell falls for 2 runs. A loud LBW appeal from Varun Chakravarthy against Michael Bracewell. Umpire doesn't take much time and raises his finger. Bracewell speaks to Williamson and walks off. He is not reviewing this.

Oh wait! analysis from ball tracking technology reveals that the delivery to Bracewell would have actually gone past the off stump without making contact. This overturns the initial on-field assessment of the dismissal.

New Zealand 159/6, need 91 runs in 77 balls

FOUR! Kane Williamson goes inside out. He gets into a good position and smashes Ravindra Jadeja over extra cover region for a boundary. Superb shot from the right-hander.

New Zealand need 93 runs in 80 balls

WICKET! Varun Chakravarthy removes Glenn Phillips for 12 run. A loud LBW appeal from Chakravarthy and up goes the finger. Half of the NZ side are back in the hut. Phillips will not review this.

NEW ZEALAND 151/5, need 99 runs in 86 balls vs INDIA

SIX! Varun Chakravarthy to Phillips. The right hander smokes this over backward square leg fence. What a shot from the New Zealander.

Shami bowled just one over and has been replaced by Varun Chakravarthy now.

WICKET! Ravindra Jadeja makes a loud LBW against Tom Latham. Up goes the finger. Jadeja is celebrating the wicket. Latham is having a chat with Williamson and walks off. New Zealand are four down now.

NEW ZEALAND 133/4 in 32.2 overs, need 117 runs

A change of pace for India. Rohit Sharma brings Shami into the attack. The plan for India is to get rid of well-set Williamson. Can Shami do this?

FIFTY! Kane Williamson brings up his 47th ODI half century. New Zealand need a big knock from him today. He is looking in superb touch. Can he take the Kiwis to a win tonight?

Latham vs Kuldeep in ODIs

Seven innings
92 balls
101 runs
Five dismissals
SR 109.78

Kuldeep Yadav to Latham. It's down the leg. Latham tries to flick, misses it. KL Rahul too fails to collect it. The ball races towards fine leg fence. 5 wides. Bonus runs for New Zealand.

WICKET! A loud LBW appeal from Kuldeep Yadav against Daryl Mitchell. Up goes the finger. Daryl Mitchell has taken a review. No bat involved. Pitching outside off. Impact in line. Wickets hitting. Kuldeep Yadav dismisses Daryl Mitchell for 17 runs.

NEW ZEALAND 93/3 in 25.1 overs vs INDIA (TARGET: 250)

25 overs gone!

New Zealand are 93/2. They still need 157 more to win the match. Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell have formed 44-run stand so far.

Mitchell vs Kuldeep in ODIs

Four inngs
70 balls
80 runs
One dismissal
SR 114.28

Former India batter Mohammad Kaif lauded Shreyas Iyer for his crucial 79 against New Zealand in their final Group A match of the ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai on Sunday.

Kaif said the time has come to recognise Iyer as a major talent on the world stage. The veteran reminded Iyer's century against New Zealand in the ODI World Cup semi-final in a high-scoring contest which India won by 70 runs at Wankhede Stadium.

"It’s Shreyas Iyer once again in ICC event against NZ. His phenomenal run continues, high time the world starts talking about his strengths and not keep pointing to his weakness," Kaif wrote on X.

Iyer, who scored 56 against Pakistan in the previous match, continued his stellar form in the tournament with successive half-century to guide India to a respectable total of 249/9 in 50 overs after losing Shubman Gill, captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the first seven overs of the innings.

Iyer along with Axar Patel stitched a 98-run important partnership to rescue the side from a precarious position. Axar departed after scoring 42 while Iyer's 98-ball 79 included two sixes and four fours.

In the end, Hardik Pandya's key contribution of 45 steered them to a competitive total in the match.

For New Zealand, Matt Henry picked five-wicket haul and returned with the figures of 5-42 in his eight overs.

Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan praised the batting effort of Iyer, Axar and Pandya to lead the side to a good total in the match.

"Tough start for Team India, but the way @ShreyasIyer15 & @akshar2026 pulled the game with their partnership, added by @hardikpandya7's support to put up a 249 was phenomenal. It’s a chaseable but modest score, so hopefully, the bowlers step up and we pull it off. All the best for the second innings boys!" Dhawan posted on X.

Both New Zealand and India have already qualified for the semi-finals after wins over Bangladesh and Pakistan and the winner of the match will take the top spot in Group A.

And here he comes, Kuldeep Yadav. Bowling change for Team India. Rohit Sharma is having a chat with Virat Kohli. The Indian skipper throws the ball towards Kuldeep now.

There no sign of Jadeja and Kuldeep yet. They are yet to bowl. Rohit is still continuing with Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel. Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell are playing cautiously at the moment. NZ need a partnership here.

Daryl Mitchell and Kane Williamson are in the middle. The required rate is under 6 at the moment. NZ need a big stand between these two batters.

15 overs gone!

New Zealand are 55/2 and still need 195 more runs to win the match. India bowlers have created pressure on the Kiwis.

WICKET!

Varun Chakravarthy castles Will Young for 22. Chakaravarthy achieves success in his second over! He delivers a carrom ball, slightly short in length and positioned on off stump, with minimal inward movement. Will Young attempts a back-foot punch but finds himself cramped for room. The delivery catches the inside edge of his bat and crashes into the stumps.

NEW ZEALAND 49/2 in 11.4 overs vs INDIA (TARGET: 250)

Kane Williamson comes down the track. The ball hits the pad and Rohit grabs it at first slip. There is a appeal for LBW. Umpire says NOT OUT. Rohit not going for a review.

FOUR! Kane Williamson hits Varun Chakravarthy straight down the ground for a boundary. Rohit brings Varun into the attack and Kane gives him a warm welcome.

Williamson vs Shami

ODIs: 100 balls, 75 runs, Three dismissals

T20s: 53 balls, 70 runs, Five dismissals

FOUR! What a timing. Too down the leg from Shami. Kane Williamson flicks the ball beautifully towards backward square leg fence for a boundary. Superb shot from the right hander.

WICKET! Hardik Pandya strikes, Rachin Ravindra falls for 6 runs. A brilliant take by Axar secures India's opening wicket! Hardik maintains his position over the wicket and delivers a short-pitched ball outside off stump with significant effort. Rachin attempts to play the shot whilst jumping, aiming to guide it behind square on the off side. However, being in the air during the shot execution, he fails to generate sufficient power. Hardik has all smiles on his face.

NEW ZEALAND 17/1 in 4 overs, need 233 more to win vs INDIA

FOUR! Free hit! Hardik Pandya to Rachin Ravindra. The left hander hits tis high in the air. It's a free hit. Varun Chakravarthy gets underneath the ball, drops the grab and also kicks the ball towards the fence. Hardik Pandya isn't happy with this. This should have been a single. Sloppy fielding from Varun.

FOUR! Down the leg from Shami. Will Young flicks the ball towards fine leg fence for a boundary. First boundary of the New Zealand innings.

Welcome back!

Team India has formed a huddle. New Zealand openers Will Young and Rachin Ravindra are set for the chase. New Zealand need 250 runs to win. Mohammed Shami will open the attack for India.

Here we go ... !!!

Best figures for NZ in Champions Trophy

5/36 Jacob Oram vs USA The Oval 2004

5/42 Matt Henry vs Ind Dubai 2025 *

5/46 Shayne O'Connor vs Pak Nairobi 2000

This is the first instance of a bowler picking a five-wicket haul against India in the tournament.

Indian batters today

vs pace: 7/115 in 25 overs (False shot % 20.0)

vs spin: 2/124 in 25 overs (False shot % 8.4)

Catching efficiency in CT 2025

96.0 New Zealand (One drop)
88.2 South Africa (Two drops)
87.5 Australia (Two drops)
77.7 India (Four drops)
75.0 Afghanistan (Four drops)
73.3 England (Four drops)
66.6 Bangladesh (Three drops)
60.0 Pakistan (Four drops)

I think the way we came out there and the surface helped and put India under pressure. Very happy with the total but still need to do a big job with the bat. We talked about getting wickets and the pressure was getting us wickets. There are some ebbs and flows on this wicket and if we can put the pressure back on, that should help us.

Matt Henry, New Zealand bowler

A fine half-century by Shreyas Iyer and a blazing cameo by Hardik Pandya in the death overs propelled India to a competitive total of 249/9 on a challenging Dubai surface in their ICC Champions Trophy final group-stage match on Sunday.

After India slumped to 30/3 early on, the middle order steadied the innings. Now, they must defend 250 runs to complete the group stage with a perfect record of three wins in three matches.

Put in to bat after New Zealand won the toss, India suffered an early setback when Matt Henry trapped Shubman Gill leg-before for just two runs off seven balls, leaving the team at 15/1 in 2.5 overs.

Playing in his 300th ODI, Virat Kohli walked in, but skipper Rohit Sharma couldn't stay with him for long. A mistimed pull shot off Kyle Jamieson found Will Young at square leg, sending Rohit back for 15 off 16 balls, including a four and a six. India slipped to 22/2 in 5.1 overs. Kohli looked in fine touch, but his eagerness to assert dominance led to his downfall. A rash shot off Henry resulted in a brilliant catch by Glenn Phillips at backward point, adding another stunner to his collection. Kohli departed for 11 off 14 balls, with two boundaries, reducing India to 30/3 in 6.4 overs.

Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel then combined to rebuild the innings. At the end of 10 overs, India stood at 37/3, with Iyer (5*) and Axar (3*) at the crease. Axar found the boundary with a well-executed sweep off Mitchell Santner, helping India reach 50 in 15.1 overs. Iyer then took the attack to Will O'Rourke, smashing three fours in an over to ease the pressure. The duo cautiously built a 50-run partnership in 85 balls, guiding India past the 100-run mark in 24.4 overs. At the halfway stage, India were 104/3, with Iyer on 44* and Axar on 26*.

Iyer reached his half-century in 75 balls, striking four boundaries along the way. However, Rachin Ravindra's part-time spin broke the crucial 98-run stand as Kane Williamson took a sharp catch at backward square leg, dismissing Axar for 42 off 61 balls, which included three fours and a six. India were 128/4 in 29.2 overs. Iyer continued to rotate the strike while finding occasional boundaries. India reached 150 in 33.2 overs, with Iyer smashing Rachin for a massive six over wide long-on. His knock, however, ended when he mistimed a pull off an O'Rourke short ball, gifting a catch to Young. Iyer departed for 79 off 98 balls, with four fours and two sixes, leaving India at 172/5 in 36.2 overs.

KL Rahul struggled to get going and fell soon after, caught behind off Santner for 23 off 29 balls, including a four. India were 182/6 in 39.1 overs.

Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya then accelerated the scoring, pushing India past 200 in 42.4 overs.

Hardik looked in fine touch, dispatching boundaries off O'Rourke and Henry. However, their promising 41-run partnership ended when Henry removed Jadeja for 16 off 20 balls, courtesy of a sharp catch by Williamson at backward point. India were 223/7 in 45.5 overs. In the 49th over, Hardik took Jamieson to the cleaners, smashing two consecutive fours and a six, collecting 15 runs off the over. His innings came to an end in the final over when he miscued a slow bouncer from Henry, falling for 45 off 45 balls, including four fours and two sixes. India were 246/8 in 49.3 overs.

The innings concluded at 249/9, with Mohammed Shami getting dismissed on the last ball, while Henry secured a five-wicket haul. Henry (5/45 in 8 overs) was New Zealand’s standout bowler, while Santner, O'Rourke, Rachin, and Jamieson chipped in with a wicket each.

WICKET! Matt Henry to Shami. The right hander clears his front leg and smashes this hard. The ball has got the height but not elevation. Phillips is running and takes a superb catch at mid-wicket. That's the end of India innings.

INDIA 249/9 in 50 overs vs NEW ZEALAND

Matt Henry to Shami. The bowler hits this towards long off. He takes a single and runs for another one. The fielder throws the ball and the ball hits Shami on the back. He is pain. Physio is out.