India vs Australia Champions Trophy Semi-Final 2025 Set After India's Victory Against New Zealand
- Abeera Marium Siddiqui
- March 3, 2025
- 10:50 am
- 85
- Sports
India vs Australia Champions Trophy Semi-Final 2025 is now confirmed after India defeated New Zealand by 44 runs in Dubai. Varun Chakravarthy’s outstanding five-wicket haul helped India dominate the match. With this win, India finished at the top of Group A and will now take on Australia in the much-awaited semi-final on Tuesday.
Varun Chakravarthy’s Spin Magic
India’s decision to play an extra spinner worked perfectly. Chakravarthy, playing only his second ODI, delivered a match-winning spell. He took 5-42, using his variations to trouble New Zealand’s batters. Kane Williamson fought hard, scoring 81, but found little support from his teammates.
New Zealand struggled against spin. Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja bowled a combined 29 overs of spin. They kept the pressure on and made scoring difficult. Tom Latham fell to a reverse sweep trap, while Will Young and Daryl Mitchell failed to read the turning deliveries. Williamson stood firm, but once Axar dismissed him, New Zealand collapsed.
India’s Batting Struggles and Recovery
Batting first, India faced early trouble. New Zealand’s pacers took control with movement off the pitch. Matt Henry bowled brilliantly, taking 5-42. He dismissed Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill within the first seven overs. Glenn Phillips took a stunning catch to remove Kohli for just 11.
Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel then steadied the innings. They built a crucial 98-run partnership, rotating the strike and avoiding risky shots. Iyer played patiently, scoring 79. Axar contributed 42, proving his value as an all-rounder.
In the final overs, Hardik Pandya provided the finishing touch. He smashed 45 runs off 45 balls, hitting four boundaries and two sixes. KL Rahul chipped in with 23, helping India reach 249-9.
New Zealand’s Chase Falls Apart
New Zealand’s chase started poorly. Hardik Pandya, replacing Harshit Rana, dismissed Rachin Ravindra with a sharp bouncer. Soon after, India’s spinners took over. Will Young misread a googly from Chakravarthy, and Daryl Mitchell fell lbw to Kuldeep Yadav.
As the required run rate increased, New Zealand took risks but failed to build partnerships. Jadeja bowled a beauty to dismiss Latham, while Williamson kept fighting alone. In the end, Axar Patel bowled him out, sealing India’s victory.
India vs Australia Champions Trophy Semi-Final 2025 Set for Tuesday
With this win, India secured a semi-final clash against Australia in Dubai. New Zealand will now face South Africa in Lahore in the second semi-final on Wednesday.
The India vs Australia Champions Trophy Semi-Final 2025 will be a high-stakes battle. Both teams will fight for a place in the final, making it an exciting contest for cricket fans.
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