Champions Trophy: India set 250-run target for New Zealand in final group clash

DUBAI: In the final group match of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy 2025, being played in Dubai, India set a target of 250 runs for New Zealand to chase.

In the match held at the Dubai Cricket Stadium, India batted first and posted 249 runs for the loss of nine wickets in their allotted 50 overs.

India’s Batting Performance

Earlier, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and opted to field first — a decision that proved spot on. India’s first wicket fell at just 15 runs when Matt Henry trapped Shubman Gill leg-before-wicket (LBW).

Captain Rohit Sharma couldn’t stay long at the crease either and was dismissed after scoring 15 runs, caught by Will Young off Kyle Jamieson’s delivery with the team’s total at 22.

Star batter Virat Kohli, who had scored a century against Pakistan, also had a short stay at the crease, making just 11 runs before being caught by Glenn Phillips off Matt Henry’s bowling.

Axar Patel and Shreyas Iyer stabilized India’s innings, but Patel was dismissed for 42 runs with the team’s score at 128, caught by Kane Williamson off Rachin Ravindra’s delivery.

Shreyas Iyer showed composure, completing his half-century before being dismissed for 79. KL Rahul added 23 runs, while Hardik Pandya contributed 45. Ravindra Jadeja was out after scoring 16 runs.

For New Zealand, Matt Henry was the standout bowler, taking five wickets. Kyle Jamieson, Will O’Rourke, Mitchell Santner, Michael Bracewell, and Rachin Ravindra claimed one wicket each.

Indian Squad

India’s team, led by captain Rohit Sharma, includes Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Varun Chakravarthy.

New Zealand Squad

New Zealand, captained by Mitchell Santner, features Rachin Ravindra, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, and Will O’Rourke.

Both India and New Zealand have already qualified for the semi-finals.