IND vs NZ Champions Trophy Highlights: India beat New Zealand by 44 runs, set semifinal date with Australia

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.

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.

Okay so now we have India and Australia facing each other in the Champions Trophy semifinal on March 4. The date is set. It's a big clash with way too much on the line.

India have won this. Kuldeep gets the final wicket. India win this by 44 runs

New Zealand lose their 9th wicket of the game! Varun Chakaravarthy just cannot stop taking wickets today, completing his fifer! Matt Henry departs on a score of two runs. India need just one wicket to win the game now!

Skipper Santner is beaten all ends up by Varun Chakaravarthy! The star spinner has been exceptional for India in the second innings, taking his fourth wicket. New Zealand now 195-8 after 44.2 overs. India on the edge of a win!

Santner is not going down without a fight. He has hit yet another six and is looking to get New Zealand close. Can he take them close enough?

The dangerous Kane Williamson departs! Axar Patel striker, dismissing the set batter on a score of 81 runs in 119 deliveries. New Zealand now 169-7 after 41 overs.

The tables have quickly turned on New Zealand. The Indian team has quickly taken wickets, and put the pressure back on the Black Caps. After 40 overs, New Zealand's score reads 165-6 with Williamson and Santner on strike.

It is Chakravarthy once again. He removes Bracewell as he plumbs him in front. New Zealand now six down and in major trouble of losing this one.

Glenn Phillips is walking back! Varun Chakaravarthy continues to provide India with breakthroughs! New Zealand lose their fifth wicket as Glenn Phillips succumbs to an LBW on a score of 12 runs in 8 deliveries. New Zealand now 151-5 after 35.4 overs.

Kane Williamson will look to accelerate his innings now. New Zealand are a bit behind on the run rate. After 35 overs, Williamson has scored 69 runs in 103 deliveries. As for New Zealand, the score reads 144-4.

Ravindra Jadeja has taken the fourth wicket for the Indian team! Tom Latham departs for a score of 14 runs in 20 deliveries. New Zealand now 133-4 after 32.2 overs.

Kane Williamson continues to chip away at the target. With Tom Latham rotating the strike at the other end, the game is quickly slipping away from the Indian team. After 32 overs, New Zealand's score reads 132-3. 

Kane Williamson is proving to be quite troublesome for the Indian team. Having scored 59 runs in 83 deliveries, the veteran batter is the biggest problem for the Men in Blue so far. After 29 overs. New Zealand have scored 122 runs with the loss of three wickets.

Williiamson brings up a fighting fifty. He is New Zealand's biggest hope out there. But is he going a tad too slow?

That's a big blow. Kuldeep gets Mitchell trapped LBW. Mitchell went for a review but to no avail. New Zealand four down.

This is turning out to be a gripping middling ODI game. New Zealand are yet to touch 100 despite almost half of the overs bowled.

Kane Williamson has been excellent for New Zealand in this run chase. The veteran batter is now in the 40s, and is slowly edging towards his half century. India are in desperate need of some wickets or the game could slip away from their grasp.

With India continuing their spin attack from both ends, New Zealand batters are slowly chipping away at the target. Daryl Mitchell and Kane Williamson are slowly settling on the crease. After 19 overs, the Black Caps' score reads 73/2.

The Indian team have done a good job in slowing down New Zealand in the run chase. However, the side is desperate for some wickets. After 17 overs, New Zealand's score reads 64-2 with Daryl Mitchell and Kane Williamson on the crease. 

Varun Chakaravarthy has been a ray of shining hope for team India so far. Making an instant impact for his side, the in form spinner could be key in providing his side with some breakthroughs.

With New Zealand edging towards the target, the Indian team has presented the Kiwi batters with the challenge of two spinners. New Zealand's score reads 55-2 after 15 overs. The Black Caps require 195 runs in 35 overs to win the game.

New Zealand have completed 50 runs in the run chase. With two wickets lost, the duo of Daryl Mitchell and Kane Williamson will hope for a good partnership as India look for some crucial breakthroughs.

Varun Chakaravarthy strikes! Well set Will Young departs after playing the ball into the stumps! New Zealand lose their second wicket on a score of 49 runs.

The wicket of Rachin Ravindra has put New Zealand on the backfoot. With Will Young and Kane Williamson on the crease, the Black Caps will hope for a resilient knock and would not like to lose more wickets in the run chase. After 8 overs, New Zealand's score reads 35-1.

Hardik Pandya draws first blood for India! Rachin Ravindra walks back to the pavilion after Axar Patel took an excellent diving catch. New Zealand lose their first wicket on a score of 17 runs after four overs.

This was a free hit and Young smashed it over mid-on, from where Chakravarthy ran behind. He could take it and does not field it, too. It goes for a four. 

Hardik was in from the other end and he starts well here. He beats the outside edge a couple of times and is causing some nervy moments for the batters.

Welcome back for the run chase. Rachin Ravindra and Will Young to open the things for New Zealand. It's Mohammed Shami with the new ball in hand. Off we go

Thanks to the Men in Blue's performances in the middle order, India have managed to post a total of 249 runs in the first innings of the game. Mohammed Shami departed on the very last ball of the innings, hoping to play a big shot.

End of a good 45-run knock from Hardik Pandya. He pulled another short one from Henry but is this time caught at deep square. Three balls to go, India 246/8

It is just Hardik Pandya left in the Indian batting attack. The star all-rounder will hope to bat for the remaining 2 overs and propel India to a score close or above 250 runs. After 48 overs, the Men in Blue have scored 229 runs with the loss of 7 wickets.

Ravindra Jadeja walks back to the pavilion! What a sensational catch by Kane Williamson to send the all-rounder packing for 16 runs in 20 deliveries. India lose their 7th wicket on a score of 223 runs. With 5 overs left, the side will hope for a good knock from Hardik Pandya.

Jadeja takes a single to bring 200 up for India. The Indian team is keeping the scoreboard going despite losing wickets at regular intervals. Can they get to 270?

New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner strikes! KL Rahul departs after adding 23 runs on the board. India lose their sixth wicket of the game on a score of 182 runs.

Finally! New Zealand can breath a sigh of relief, Will O'Rouke takes the prized wicket of Shreyas Iyer on a score of 79 runs in 98 deliveries. India lose their fifth wicket on a score of 172 runs.

It is safe to say that Shreyas Iyer has been in exceptional form as of latge, and the star batter has continued his form in the game against New Zealand as well. Having scored 75 runs in 94 deliveries by 35.3 overs. Iyer will be hoping to complete his ton and propel India to a big total.

After Axar's dismissal, star batter KL Rahul has come into the attack next. With the Indian team four wickets down, Rahul's resilience and Iyer's big knock could be just what India needs at the moment. 

After a well placed innings of 42 runs, Axar Patel finally walks back to the pavilion after handing a catch to Kane Williamson. India lose their fourth wicket on a score of 128 runs, courtesy of Rachin Ravindra. 

A fine innings for Shreyas Iyer in the middle order! Completing his 50 in 75 delvieries, Iyer has performed brilliantly under pressure. India now 118/3 after 27.5 overs.

After a lot of early struggle, Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel seem to have stabilised the innings for the Men in Blue. After 24.5 overs, India's score reads 100-3. Shreyas Iyer is nearing his half century as well. 

Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel are looking in good touch against New Zealand. After the first 20 overs, the Men in Blue have scored 78 runs and have lost three wickets in the process. Axar has amassed 16 runs to his name with Iyer scoring 31 runs.

Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel are starting to look comfortable on the field. India's score reads 57/3 after 16 overs. Both batters will hope to make up for the early dismissals. A very crucial juncture of the game coming up. 

Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel are putting in the hard yards as they are rebuilding things for India. The Men in Blue are at 41/3 after 12 overs.

Having lost three wickets in the powerplay, Axar Patel now comes in to bat. The star all-rounder will now hope for a patient and resilient knock and a good partnership with Shreyas Iyer.

the Indian team are now three down! Virat Kohli attempted to play a square cut. However, thanks to Glenn Phillips' exceptional fielding, the star batter is now walking back. India now 30/3 after 6.4 overs.

Another huge wicket for New Zealand! This time, it is Kyle Jamieson who struck and dismissed the India skipper. Rohit Sharma attempted to play a big shot, but ended up handing an easy catch to Will Young. India now 22-2 after 5.1 overs.

After Gill's early wicket, Virat Kohli is now on the strike. The star batter gets off the mark in style, hitting a boundary to Matt Henry. Both Kohli and Rohit will hope to build a big partnership after Gill's early loss.

A huge wicket for New Zealand! In-form man Shubman Gill departs after adding just two runs on the board. New Zealand strike early in Dubai. India now 15-1 after 2.4 overs.

Shubman Gill and skipper Rohit Sharma are in the middle, Matt Henry has the new ball in his hand. The new ball might do a bit in the first few overs and Indian openers will have to be just a bit cautious while trying to take the advantage of the powerplay. Should be a fascinating period of play.

Despite significant seam movement in the early stages of the game, India skipper Rohit Sharma has been making his intentions clear. India now 7-0 after the first two overs.

With the national anthems done, play should begin very soon. Stay tuned to see the Indian batters come out and open their innings against the Black Caps in a cracking encounter at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Rohit Sharma lost yet another toss as the Indian skipper. This was his 10th toss loss in a row as skipper, he now occupies third place in the all-time list of skipper who lost consecutive tosses.

Captains with most consecutive tosses lost:

1. Brian Lara - 12 (31 October 1998 to 21 May 1999)

2. Peter Borren -11 (18 March 2011 to 27 August 2013)

3. Rohit Sharma -10* (19 November 2023 to 2 March 2025)

Batting first, the Indian batters will hope to get off to a good start to the game. Shubman Gill has been in exceptional form as of late, amassing big scores in his last five matches. A lot will be expected from Gill as India bat first.

India playing XI: Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy

New Zealand XI: Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham(w), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner(c), Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, William ORourke

New Zealand have won the toss and opted to bowl first in Dubai. The Indian team's streak of losing tosses continues. The Men in Blue will hope for a good performance with the bat and post a big total on the board.

Ace batter Virat Kohli is approaching a major milestone! The star batter is all set play his 300th ODI for the Indian team, and he will be keen on making his outing a memorable one in Dubai.

The pitch in play at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium is one that could benefit the spinners in the early stages of the clash. Despite the economy of the spinners being better, the pacers have taken more wickets on this surface. India will look to make the most of their bowling attack as they gear up to take on the Black Caps.

It is worth noting that both India and New Zealand have qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions Trophy 2025. However, despite the game having no consequence for the teams, it would go on to decide their opponents in the semi-finals. If India win today, they will face Australia in the semis, and New Zealand will take on South Africa. However, if India lose today, they will take on South Africa with the Black Caps taking on the Aussies.

Welcome to our coverage of the high octane Champions Trophy clash between India and New Zealand! Both sides go head to head at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, and coming into the game without a loss so far, both sides will hope for similar performance once more.