IND vs NZ ODI / After 25 years, India equalized the score, defeated New Zealand for the first time

IND vs NZ ODI: The Indian cricket team continued its excellent performance in the Champions Trophy 2025 and also won the last match of the group stage. In this match played at Dubai International Stadium, India defeated New Zealand by 44 runs. With this win, India topped its group and confirmed its place in the semi-finals. The hero of this match was Indian spinner Varun Chakraborty, who demolished New Zealand's batting by taking 5 wickets.

India defeated New Zealand for the first time in the Champions Trophy

With this win, India also avenged the defeat in the 2000 final, when New Zealand defeated India to win the title. This is the first time in the history of the Champions Trophy that India defeated New Zealand. After this historic victory, Team India made its place in the semi-finals even stronger. Now in the semi-finals, India will face Australia, while New Zealand will face South Africa.

Indian batsmen showed strength

The Indian team did not have a good start and three important wickets fell within the first 7 overs. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill soon returned to the pavilion. In this difficult time, Shreyas Iyer and Akshar Patel took charge of the innings and made a partnership of 98 runs. Iyer completed his half-century but Akshar Patel missed the half-century.

In the end, Hardik Pandya scored a quick 45 runs to take India's score to 249. Matt Henry bowled brilliantly for New Zealand and challenged the Indian batting by taking 5 wickets. This was the first time in the history of the Champions Trophy that a bowler took 5 wickets against India.

Varun Chakraborty wreaked havoc

New Zealand also had a bad start and their 2 wickets fell within 49 runs. However, Daryl Mitchell tried to handle the innings, but could not last long against the Indian spin bowlers.

Kane Williamson was the only batsman who posed a threat to India. He had completed his half-century and was moving towards his century, but Axar Patel gave relief to the Indian team by dismissing him. Varun Chakravarthy then devastated the middle and lower order of New Zealand and achieved the first 5-wicket haul of his ODI career.

India to face Australia in semi-finals

After this win, the Indian team topped the group and will now face Australia in the semi-finals. On the other hand, the New Zealand team will play the semi-finals against South Africa. Looking at the current form of the Indian team, fans are hopeful that Team India will create history by winning the Champions Trophy 2025 title.