 "Playing his first match in Champions Trophy, Varun Chakravarthy took five wickets as India defeated New Zealand. Image: Reuters")
Rohit Sharma was a delighted captain as the Indian cricket team made easy work of the New Zealand challenge to set up a semi-final against Australia in the Champions Trophy 2025. India defeated New Zealand by 44 runs on Sunday (2 March) in Dubai to finish on the top of Group A.
Champions Trophy 2025: News | Schedule | Results | Points Table
Both India and New Zealand had already qualified for the semi-finals, but now it has been confirmed that the Men in Blue will face the second-placed team from Group B- Australia- in the first semi-final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on 4 March (Tuesday).
India had confidence to defend low score: Rohit
Reacting to their sixth consecutive ODI win, Rohit said India always had the confidence of defending a low-score against in-form New Zealand.
“Very important for us to finish on a high. New Zealand is a good side, playing well in the recent past. Axar-Shreyas’ partnership was important after losing wickets in the first powerplay. They got us to good total, with our quality bowlers, we had the confidence to defend that,” the India captain said after the match.
After India were reduced to 30/3, Shreyas Iyer (79) and Axar Patel (42) forged a 98-run partnership for the fourth wicket to steady things for the Men in Blue, while Hardik Pandya smashed 45 towards the end to help the side post 249/9.
In the second essay of the match, Varun Chakravarthy, playing his first match of the tournament, took a five-wicket haul as India won comfortably, bowling out New Zealand for 205.
Varun has got something different: Rohit
Varun Chakravarthy was brought into the playing XI as a replacement for in-form Harshit Rana. Rohit said the spinner’s match-winning performance has only added to their “good headache”.
“Varun has got something different, wanted to try and see what he had to offer. We got to think a little about what to do for the next game, good headache. If he gets it right, very difficult to read him,” Rohit said.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsTalking about India’s semi-final against Australia, Rohit said: “Momentum critical in such a short game. Try and win game, try and do everything right. Mistakes happen but correcting that is important. It is going to be a good game. Australia have a rich history of playing well in ICC tournaments. About us to do things right. We have to be focussed on what we need to do on that day. Looking forward to that, hopefully we can stitch one towards us.”