Dubai/Patiala, 09 March (Sports Desk)
On March 9, 2025, the Dubai International Cricket Stadium hosted an electrifying finale to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where India faced off against New Zealand in a battle for supremacy in one-day international (ODI) cricket. With India entering the match unbeaten and New Zealand looking to avenge their earlier group-stage loss to the Men in Blue, the stage was set for a classic encounter. After 50 overs of intense cricket, New Zealand posted a competitive 251/7, but India’s disciplined bowling and the spin wizardry of Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav kept the Kiwis in check. Here’s a detailed report of the first innings as the match unfolded.
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Toss and Team News
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and elected to bat first under the scorching Dubai sun, with temperatures hovering around 32°C. The Black Caps suffered a blow with star pacer Matt Henry ruled out due to a shoulder injury sustained in the semifinal against South Africa. Nathan Smith stepped in as his replacement. India, led by Rohit Sharma—who lost his 12th consecutive toss as captain—opted for an unchanged XI, banking on their winning combination featuring a potent spin attack and a reliable batting lineup.
New Zealand’s Innings: A Tale of Resilience and Spin Struggles
New Zealand got off to a brisk start, with openers Will Young and Rachin Ravindra capitalizing on the Powerplay. The pair raced to 69/1 in the first 10 overs, exploiting some wayward bowling from Mohammed Shami and Hardik Pandya. Ravindra, in particular, looked menacing, surviving two dropped chances—one by Shami off his own bowling and another by Shreyas Iyer at deep mid-wicket. However, India’s spinners soon turned the tide.
Varun Chakravarthy struck the first blow in the 11th over, trapping Will Young LBW for a quickfire 28. The dismissal brought Kane Williamson to the crease, but Ravindra’s aggression was halted by Kuldeep Yadav, who cleaned him up for 34 with the first ball of his spell. Williamson, the former Kiwi captain, attempted to anchor the innings but fell to Ravindra Jadeja for a cautious 25, leaving New Zealand at 102/3.
Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham then steadied the ship with a 50-run partnership, but India’s spinners continued to apply pressure. Jadeja dismissed Latham LBW for 22, and Chakravarthy returned to break another budding stand, bowling Glenn Phillips for 34 with a deceptive wrong’un. Mitchell, however, stood firm, reaching a gritty half-century off 91 balls—the slowest of his career—before falling to Shami for 63 in the 42nd over.
With New Zealand reeling at 185/6, Michael Bracewell provided a late flourish. His unbeaten 53 , including a six off Shami and some clever strokeplay, propelled the Kiwis past the 250-run mark. Captain Santner sacrificed his wicket via a run-out—thanks to a sharp throw from Virat Kohli and quick glove-work by KL Rahul—ensuring Bracewell stayed on strike. New Zealand finished at 251/7 in their 50 overs, with Bracewell’s cameo lifting them to a fighting total.
India’s Bowling: Spinners Shine, Shami Strikes
India’s bowling attack was led by their spinners, who exploited the dry, turning pitch to perfection. Varun Chakravarthy finished with 2/45, though he limped off late with a right ankle injury after a valiant effort that saw him claim nine wickets in the tournament. Kuldeep Yadav matched him with 2/40, dismissing Ravindra and Phillips, while Ravindra Jadeja’s 1/38 included the key scalp of Latham. Mohammed Shami (1/74) and Hardik Pandya bowled tightly in patches, with Shami picking up Mitchell’s wicket at a crucial juncture. Despite a late surge from Bracewell, India’s disciplined bowling ensured New Zealand didn’t break free, restricting them to a chaseable total.
Pitch and Conditions
The Dubai pitch, used previously in the tournament, remained dry and spin-friendly, assisting slower bowlers as the innings progressed. The new ball offered some movement early on, but batting became tougher as the surface slowed down. With minimal dew expected, the conditions favored a tight bowling performance, setting up an intriguing chase for India.
Outlook for the Chase
India will need 252 to clinch their third Champions Trophy title, a target that appears within reach given their formidable batting lineup featuring Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill. However, New Zealand’s balanced attack, led by Santner’s left-arm spin and the pace of Kyle Jamieson and William O’Rourke, will pose a challenge. The Black Caps will draw confidence from their history of troubling India in ICC knockouts, but the Men in Blue’s unbeaten run and familiarity with Dubai conditions make them slight favorites.
As the second innings begins, this final promises to be a nail-biter, with both teams vying to etch their names in Champions Trophy history. Stay tuned for updates on India’s chase and the crowning of the 2025 champions!
