India continued their dominant run in the ICC Champions Trophy, securing a comfortable victory over New Zealand in their final group-stage encounter at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
The win ensured India finished at the top of Group A with three wins in three matches, setting up a high-stakes semi-final clash against Australia. New Zealand, after the loss, finished as the second-placed team in Group A and will face Group B toppers South Africa.
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India secure semi-final berth with perfect record
Spinner Varun Chakravarthy returned figures of 5-42 as India defeated New Zealand by 44 runs on Sunday, sealing the top spot in Group A and setting up a semi-final clash with Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy.
India won all three of their group-stage matches and will play the first semi-final in Dubai on Tuesday.
“Important to finish on a high,” said India captain Rohit Sharma after the victory. “New Zealand are a good team playing some good cricket. Very important to get a good result, we played a perfect game.”
India’s fixed semi-final venue raises questions
India have played all their matches at the Dubai International Stadium due to their refusal to tour hosts Pakistan, citing security concerns.
As a result, Australia and South Africa were forced to travel to Dubai from Pakistan despite not knowing if they would be playing there. India were pre-assigned to the first semi-final in Dubai regardless of their final group standing.
South Africa now have to return to Pakistan for their semi-final against New Zealand.
India’s batting resilience overcomes early wobbles
After being put into bat, India posted 249/9, thanks to a crucial 79 from Shreyas Iyer and a late 45-run cameo from Hardik Pandya.
India were in trouble at 30/3 when Virat Kohli, playing his 300th ODI, fell for 11 to a stunning one-handed catch by Glenn Phillips at backward point.
Iyer and Axar Patel (42) rebuilt the innings with a 98-run stand for the fourth wicket. Pandya provided a late flourish, hitting four fours and two sixes in a run-a-ball knock that pushed India to a competitive total.
New Zealand’s Matt Henry stood out with the ball, claiming figures of 5-42 from his eight overs.
Chakravarthy’s record-breaking spell decimates New Zealand
In reply, New Zealand were bowled out for 205 in 45.3 overs, despite Kane Williamson’s valiant 81 off 120 balls.
India’s spinners dominated in helpful conditions. Williamson reached his 47th ODI fifty with a boundary off Jadeja, but India’s disciplined bowling attack ensured regular breakthroughs.
Chakravarthy’s 5-42 was the best-ever bowling figures by an Indian on Champions Trophy debut, surpassing Mohammed Shami’s 5-53 earlier in the tournament.
Semi-final showdowns await
With their victory, India secured a semi-final clash with six-time world champions Australia in Dubai on Tuesday.
“Australia has a rich history of playing ICC tournaments well, but it is about us and what we want to do well on that particular day,” said Rohit Sharma. “It will be a great contest, looking forward to that. Hopefully, we can stitch one towards us.”
Meanwhile, New Zealand will face South Africa in Lahore on Wednesday in the second semi-final, as the battle for a place in the final intensifies.