New Zealand set 252-run target for India in Champions Trophy final

DUBAI: New Zealand has set a target of 252 runs for India in the final of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy.

The final match between India and New Zealand is being played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first.

Batting first, New Zealand posted a total of 251 runs for the loss of seven wickets in the allotted overs, giving India a target of 252 runs to win.

New Zealand lost their first wicket at a total score of 57 when opener Will Young was dismissed after scoring 15 runs, caught off Varun Chakravarthy’s delivery. The second wicket fell at 69, with Rachin Ravindra getting out after making 37 runs off Kuldeep Yadav’s ball.

Also read: India VS New Zealand live updates: Champions Trophy 2025 final

New Zealand’s captain Kane Williamson couldn’t stay long on the pitch and was sent back to the pavilion after scoring just 11 runs at the team’s total of 75. This wicket also went to Indian bowler Kuldeep Yadav.

The fourth wicket fell at 108, when Tom Latham was declared LBW after scoring 14 runs off Ravindra Jadeja’s ball. The fifth wicket fell at 165, with Glenn Phillips getting bowled for 34 runs by Varun Chakravarthy.

At the toss, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner revealed that bowler Matt Henry was ruled out of the final due to injury. He mentioned that the pitch looked good and similar to the one used in their previous match against India.

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma acknowledged New Zealand’s strength as a team and said that batting second would not make a significant difference.

It is worth mentioning that 25 years ago, in the second edition of the ICC Champions Trophy final played in Nairobi, New Zealand defeated India by four wickets thanks to Chris Cairns’ brilliant century.