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  • Champions Trophy 2024/25, NZ vs SA 2nd Semi-Final Match Preview

    Champions Trophy 2024/25, NZ vs SA 2nd Semi-Final Match Preview


    Big picture: Run fest awaits SA, NZ

    Here we are again. South Africa and New Zealand, the two best sides to have never won a World Cup, meet in a knockout match. Both have had their hands on this trophy all the way back when it was called the ICC Knockout and possibly meant something else in terms of its significance in the global game. So make no mistake: winning this will not take away the desire for the big one but it will help to tide things over until 2027, when South Africa co-host the event with neighbours Zimbabwe and Namibia.

    Quietly, South Africa know they are actually building for that but the pressure to return home with something other than disappointment is ever-present. This is another chance to change that. New Zealand, after coming so close to the trophy at the 2019 World Cup, also carry scars but somehow seem less burdened by them. Perhaps a smaller population, with fewer socio-economic fractures that can be plastered over with sporting success helps them; maybe they’re just good at stoicism. Those are things to ponder later in the week when one of these two teams will play a final against a yet-to-be-decided opposition at a yet-to-be-decided venue. For now, they’ve both probably got the knockout they wanted.

    Facing each other, rather than India or Australia, appears to give them both a better chance of progressing to the final. And doing it in Pakistan, though both teams travelled from Dubai at different times on Monday, likely suits them more. Conditions are good for run-scoring and both have line-ups capable of posting big scores which suggests fans will be in for a run-fest. Their attacks are similarly matched to the point where both were hit by injury-enforced absences amongst the quicks. Some of the more interesting narratives could be around which of the tall men – Marco Jansen and Kyle Jamieson – can extract the most with their height or which of the attacking bowlers, Kagiso Rabada or Matt Henry, has the most success.

    A difference could come in the spin resources, where South Africa have chosen to operate with only one specialist in Keshav Maharaj but New Zealand have both captain Mitchell Santner and offspinner Michael Bracewell in their best XI. Maharaj had previously indicated he sees a spinners role as a more defensive one at this event so their economy rates are the numbers to watch here.

    Overall, this match promises an even contest without the hype that comes with playing a big three nation even though there is plenty of history. New Zealand dumped South Africa out of both the 2011 and 2015 World Cups and though the likes of us will talk about it, it’s worth remembering that the last of those was ten years ago and much cricket has been played since.

    Then, particularly for South Africa, the results seemed seismic. Now, ICC events happen annually and teams are dusting themselves off and starting again with much greater frequency. Does that mean it matters less if you lose at a crucial stage or even if you win? Ask one of these two, who have both spent the best part of the last three decades trying to win a major trophy and they’re likely to say no. Only one of them will have the chance to do it this time.

    Form guide

    South Africa: WWLLL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
    New Zealand: LWWWW

    In the spotlight: David Miller and Kane Williamson

    No one has quite said it yet but could this be the last time 35-year-old David Miller plays in an ODI tournament for South Africa? And if so, what kind of say will he have on it? He has limited opportunity in the tournament so far. He came to bat in the 43rd over against Afghanistan only to smash the winning runs against England, but has had almost-decisive knocks in both South Africa’s previous white-ball knockout games. At the 2023 ODI World Cup, Miller’s century gave South Africa something to defend in the semi-final after they were reduced to 24 for 4; at the 2024 T20 World Cup, he was looking good on 21 off 17 balls before being spectacularly caught on the boundary which could have taken South Africa within touching distance of the trophy. Miller has shown he enjoys the big occasion and has also indicated he is taking things year by year, so chances to play in knockouts are likely becoming fewer. After all his efforts, he will want to play a role in South Africa winning one.

    Kane Williamson has back-to-back ODI centuries against South Africa, albeit they were scored six years apart. He made 106* against them in Birmingham in June 2019 and 133* against them at this venue in the tri-series that preceded this tournament, though that was not against a full-strength South African side. Overall, Williamson averages 57.35 against South Africa, his best against any opposition other than Zimbabwe. Though New Zealand have a line-up of creative and crafty hitters, Williamson’s role in New Zealand’s side continues to be of utmost importance as evidenced by his 81 against India in Dubai, where he kept New Zealand in the fight in what was ultimately a losing cause.

    Like many of the more experienced players at this event, at 34, Williamson may not get another opportunity to win an ODI trophy and will want to make the most of this one.

    Team news

    Openers Temba Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi have both recovered from the illness that kept them out of the England game and are expected to be available for selection, but de Zorzi is expected to make way for Aiden Markram, who passed his fitness test on Tuesday. George Linde has been called up as a travelling reserve. The bowling make-up – two allrounders, one specialist spinner and two quicks – is expected to be unchanged.

    South Africa (possible): 1 Temba Bavuma (capt), 2 Ryan Rickelton, 3 Rassie van der Dussen, 4 Aiden Markram, 5 Heinrich Klaasen (wk), 6 David Miller, 7 Wiaan Mulder, 8 Marco Jansen, 9 Keshav Maharaj, 10 Kagiso Rabada, 11 Lungi Ngidi

    New Zealand’s only question will be which one of Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway or Daryl Mitchell they will leave out. Conway sat out the India match for Mitchell, who played against Pakistan but not Bangladesh. Young and Ravindra both have centuries to their names at this competition which suggests the decision is between Mitchell and Conway, who has scores of 30 and 10 from his outings in the tournament.

    New Zealand: 1 Will Young, 2 Rachin Ravindra/Devon Conway, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Daryl Mitchell, 5 Tom Latham (wk), 6 Glenn Phillips, 7 Michael Bracewell, 8 Mitchell Santner (capt), 9 Matt Henry, 10 Kyle Jamieson, 11 Will O’Rourke

    Pitch and conditions

    In five ODIs this year, the average first innings score is 316.5 and results have been shared between the team batting first and the chasing team. It’s expected to be another belter for the batters and tough outing for bowlers. While Heinrich Klaasen mentioned some drizzle on South Africa’s arrival in the city on Monday, the forecast is mild and clear for the semi-final.

    Stats and trivia

    • South Africa and New Zealand have played no bilateral white-ball cricket against each other since 2017 but played each other at the 2019 and 2023 World Cups and won a game a piece and the Pakistan tri-nation series, in a match which New Zealand won. In ICC tournaments, they have met 11 times, and New Zealand have won seven of those games.
    • South Africa are the only country to have qualified for the knockouts of all of the last seven ICC events – across men’s, women’s and Under-19 tournaments. That includes the 2023 men’s ODI World Cup semi-final, the 2024 men’s T20 World Cup final, the 2025 World Test Championship final, the 2024 men’s Under-19 World Cup semi-final, the 2024 women’s T20 World Cup final and the 2025 women’s Under-19 final.

    Quotes

    “Scheduling is an issue all around but when you do have time to rest and recover, you should. One day cricket can be quite exhausting on the body, and for us, it might be about making sure bowlers are ready for tomorrow. I don’t think they’re going to be doing much today in training.”New Zealand travelled back to Pakistan from Dubai early on Monday morning and will use Tuesday to recuperate rather than train heavily according to captain Mitchell Santner.

    “We’ll approach it as we normally would. We obviously want to play our best cricket. We understand New Zealand will obviously come with a certain challenge and we’ll have to prepare accordingly but I think Marco [Jansen] said it, it’s just another game for us. Yes, it’s important but we definitely won’t be blowing it out of proportion. It’s the semi-final, we want to play our best cricket.”
    Temba Bavuma brushes off suggestions of extra pressure as South Africa enter another semi-final

    Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo’s correspondent for South Africa and women’s cricket


  • India vs New Zealand LIVE Scorecard, Champions Trophy 2025 Final LIVE Updates: Rohit Sharma Off The Mark With 6 As India Start Chase Of 252 vs NZ

    India vs New Zealand LIVE Scorecard, Champions Trophy 2025 Final LIVE Updates: Rohit Sharma Off The Mark With 6 As India Start Chase Of 252 vs NZ


    India vs New Zealand LIVE Cricket Updates, ICC Champions Trophy Final LIVE Scorecard© AFP




    India vs New Zealand LIVE Updates, Champions Trophy 2025 Final: Indian spinners put up a splendid show, helping the side restrict New Zealand for 251 for 7 in 50 overs in the final of Champions Trophy 2025 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Kuldeep Yadav (2 for 40) and Varun Chakravarthy (2 for 45) picked two wickets apiece while Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami scalped one wicket each after New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and opted to bat. Daryl Mitchell (63) and Michael Bracewell (53) played crucial knocks for the Blackcaps, who fought back in remarkable fashion towards the end to post a fighting total. (LIVE SCORECARD)

    ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final LIVE Updates, India vs New Zealand LIVE Score, straight from Dubai International Cricket Stadium:







    • 18:24 (IST)

      Champions Trophy 2025 Final Live: A look at the partnerships for NZ

    • 18:21 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Live: New Zealand’s wagonwheel

    • 18:14 (IST)

      Champions Trophy 2025 Final Live: Kohli hugs Jadeja after his spell

    • 18:10 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Live: Here’s what Varun said after the innings

      “It was a good wicket compared to the last wicket. It was not turning much. All I could do was stick it into the stump line and wait for the batter to make some mistake. I like bowling in the death and the powerplay, it is more challenging and gives me more opportunity to pick wickets. I like talking to Kuldeep, even Jaddu bhai and Axar, I am pretty new to this set up and am looking to build some nice bonds. It (the right foot) is a little sore. It is a gettable score if we bat well initially.”

    • 18:07 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Final Live: Brilliant stat

      Most overs of spin bowled by India in an ODI

      41.2 vs WI, Indore, 2011

      39 vs KEN, Gwalior, 1998

      38 vs NZ, Dubai, CT 2025 Final

      37.3 vs NZ, Dubai, CT 2025 

    • 18:04 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Final LIVE Score: Can India win?

      229, 242, 265 – These are the 3 totals that have been chased down by India so far in Champions Trophy 2025. The target of 252 today should be attainable today for Rohit Sharma and co. With a batting that goes as far as No. 8, India would be fancying themselves.

    • 18:02 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Final LIVE: TARGET: 252

      7 days ago, India posted 249 in this stadium for New Zealand, and won by 44 runs. Now, India have to chase down 252 to lift the Champions Trophy title for a third time! 

      India have won three games in this tournament chasing, and will depend on Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill to give them a flying start once again.

    • 18:00 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Final LIVE: NZ POST 251

      New Zealand get past 250! Great final 5 overs, where they added 50 runs. Half-centuries by Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell, and the Kiwis have given their bowlers something to defend here. Overall, though, India would fancy themselves.

      NZ 251/7 (50)

    • 17:59 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Final LIVE: 50 for Bracewell!

      Excellent knock by Michael Bracewell. A superb half-century on the big day. Half-century, played with immense composure under pressure. Three 4s, two 6s. 50 off just 39 balls.

      NZ 249/7 (49.5)

    • 17:56 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Final LIVE Score: FOUR!

      Great start to the final over by Michael Bracewell! Shami goes for the wide yorker, Bracewell opens the face of the blade and times it to perfection through third man. Ravindra Jadeja gives chase, but can’t stop it with his foot.

      Bracewell up to 46 then, off just 36 balls.

      NZ 243/2 (49.1)

    • 17:54 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Final LIVE: RUN OUT!

      That should be run out! Mitchell Santner plays it towards mid-wicket, comes scrambling back for 2. Good throw from the deep by Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul dislodges the bails. Santner falls short, but the good news for NZ is that Bracewell will be on strike for the last over.

    • 17:51 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Final LIVE: 6!

      Over mid-wicket for SIX! Michael Bracewell is playing a superb cameo here. 2 fours and 2 sixes. Excellent knock by the left-handed all-rounder here, under pressure. He’s taking NZ close to 250 here!

      NZ 235/6 (48.2)

    • 17:49 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Final LIVE Score: 4!

      Micheal Bracewell picsk up another boundary, but a steady over by Mohammed Shami nonetheless. 250 looks a stiff task from here. 10 comes in this one. Hardik Pandya will bowl the penultimate over of the New Zealand innings.

      NZ 228/6 (48)

    • 17:43 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Final LIVE: Kuldeep completes his spell

      10-0-40-2! What a spell by Kuldeep Yadav. The humongous wickets of Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson in there. Responded to criticism in style, and he’s the frontrunner for the ‘Player of the Match’ award if India win.

      NZ 217/6 (47)

    • 17:41 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Final LIVE: 4 overs to go

      Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell have a lot of responsibility on their shoulders now. Can New Zealand get to 250? 3 overs of spin still available to Rohit Sharma – 2 with Axar Patel and 1 with Kuldeep.

      NZ 211/4 (46)

    • 17:36 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Final LIVE Score: OUT!

      Mohammed Shami gets a wicket! You can count on him in an ICC event with your eyes closed. Daryl Mitchell tries to go big again, sends it straight to Rohit Sharma at cover. Good catch by the Indian captain, who jumps well to collect it!

      NZ 211/6 (45.4)

    • 17:34 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Final LIVE: 4!

      New Zealand need a big last 5 overs here, and Daryl Mitchell starts off in style. Short ball by Shami, pulled away with force by Mitchell, towards the mid-wicket region. Next ball, poor throw by Shubman Gill, and NZ complete two runs.

      NZ 207/5 (45.2)

    • 17:32 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Final LIVE Score: Top stuff, Varun!

      Varun Chakravarthy completes his spell. Three of the most impactful games you will ever see. India’s trump card, the man that India counted on to deliver crucial wickets. 10-0-44-2 will be his final figures today. Wickets of Will Young and Glenn Phillips today, and more importantly, at important junctures.

      Meanwhile, New Zealand bring up their 200!

      NZ 201/5 (45)

    • 17:30 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Final LIVE: Chakravarthy will complete his spell

      Ankle issue seems to be out of the way. Varun Chakravarthy is fit enough to bowl his 10th over here. 9 wickets in just three games in this tournament. What an impact he has had! Can he take his tally to 10 with these last six balls?

    • 17:28 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Final LIVE: SIX!

      Micheal Bracewell goes big! Brute force. Short delivery by Shami, Bracewell clears the ropes comfortably. That’s a big hit, between the square leg and mid-wicket region. NZ pick up a few more singles and twos in the over, and score 12. Necessary runs for the Kiwis.

      NZ 196/5 (44)

    • 17:26 (IST)

      Champions Trophy 2025 LIVE Score: Mohammed Shami returns

      5 overs at the very start, Mohammed Shami is now back into the attack after 39 overs. Bowled well in the powerplay, getting swing and nipping a few deliveries back in. 8 wickets so far in the tournament. Shami has regularly got wickets in the final 10 overs in this tournament. Can he do so again?

      NZ 186/5 (43.3)

    • 17:23 (IST)

      Champions Trophy 2025 LIVE: BOUNDARY!

      Important hit for New Zealand. First boundary for Michael Bracewell after coming out to bat. Sweeps hard off Kuldeep, and finds the gap. NZ need many more of these if they want to get a total near 250. 

      NZ 184/5 (43)

    • 17:19 (IST)

      Champions Trophy 2025 LIVE Score: 50 for Mitchell

      Half-century for Daryl Mitchell, it has taken him 91 balls. A marathon innings by the right-hander who walked in when New Zealand were in a spot of bother, and has held one end tight throughout. Important for him now to switch gears and provide NZ an explosive finish.

      NZ 178/5 (42)

    • 17:17 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Final LIVE Score: Issue for Chakravarthy

      Varun Chakravarthy is receiving some treatment from the physio. Down with an injury. His right ankle is being heavily taped here. 8.3 overs bowled by Chakravarthy today, including two big wickets. 

      NZ 176/5 (41.3)

    • 17:12 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Final LIVE: Virat Kohli furious on Kuldeep

      Kuldeep Yadav does not return to the non-striker’s end to receive the throw. Big chance missed, as there was a mix-up between the Kiwi batters. Virat Kohli is livid on him. Remember, Kuldeep did the same error a couple of times during the semi-final against Australia, and was given a mouthful by Kohli and Rohit then too.

      NZ 174/5 (40.2)

    • 17:10 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Final LIVE: 10 overs to go!

      New Zealand need a few explosive hits in the final 10 overs. Ravindra Jadeja completes his spell. 1-30 in 10 overs for the left-arm spinner. If this is final ODI for India, that is an commendable way to end on. Gets a big hug from Virat Kohli.

      NZ 172/5 (40)

    • 17:02 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Final LIVE Score: Huge blow

      New Zealand would’ve really hoped for Phillips to stay at the crease beyond the 40th over. We know how capable he is of hitting the big blows. Varun Chakravarthy providing the decisive breakthroughs. The most in-form spinner in world cricket, without a shadow of doubt.

      NZ 165/5 (38)

    • 17:01 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Final LIVE: OUT!

      Varun Chakravarthy STRIKES!  Straight through Glenn Phillips’ defence. Big, big wicket and the mystery spinner is now up to 9 wickets in Champions Trophy 2025. Yet another body blow provided by Chakravarthy. What a tournament he’s had.

      OUT – Glenn Phillips – b Chakravarthy – 34 (52)

      NAZ 165/5 (37.5)

    • 16:59 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Final LIVE: Varun Chakravarthy is back

      The mystery spinner has been reintroduced by Rohit Sharma. 3 overs left for him. Remember, he did pick up the very first wicket, when he got the wicket of Will Young. Can he now break this partnership and put India on the front foot heading into the final 10 overs?

      NZ 165/4 (37.3)

    • 16:58 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Final LIVE Score: 13 overs to go

      Partnership between Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips has now lasted nearly 14 overs. Good job by the duo, who have added 53 runs in that period. Phillips has done well to relieve some pressure off Mitchell, and has picked up a few boundaries.

      NZ 161/4 (37)

    • 16:55 (IST)

      Champions Trophy LIVE Score: Another one put down?

      This time Shubman Gill puts down one. Dropped at deep mid-wicket by India’s vice-captain. Jadeja is not happy at all. Diving chance, he gets his fingers to it but fails to hold on. Adds another one to the list of catches dropped by India today.

      NZ 156/4 (36)

    • 16:49 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Final LIVE Score: Tough chance!

      Rohit Sharma, full stretched, tries to catch a shot hit by Mitchell. Gets a hand to it, but fails to hold on. Yet another chance in the field for India, this time falling to the Indian captain. It was a difficult one, to be fair.

      NZ 153/4 (35)

    • 16:47 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Final LIVE Score: 150 up!

      New Zealand reach the 150 mark. It has come in 34.3 balls. Comes after a single by Daryl Mitchell off Axar Patel.

      NZ 150/4 (34.3)

    • 16:46 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Final LIVE: Spinners keep the pressure on

      Two more economical overs, bowled by the two left-arm spinners of Team India. Axar Patel gives 4 runs, before Ravindra Jadeja concedes only two. Pressure still firmly on the New Zealand batting, with 150 yet to come up.

      NZ 149/4 (34)

    • 16:40 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Final LIVE: FOUR!

      First boundary of Ravindra Jadeja! Glenn Phillips the man once again. Pitched short, at the waist, Phillips turns around and hits it through the gap between fine leg and square leg. Third boundary for Phillips, who is giving somewhat of an acceleration.

      NZ 143/4 (32)

    • 16:38 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Final LIVE: Virat Kohli, great fielding

      Excellent work inside the circle. New Zealand thought of getting a single, but Virat Kohli pounces on the ball, fielding at short cover. Draws out a cheer from the crowd. Axar finishes another tight over, concedes only 3 runs.

      NZ 138/4 (31)

    • 16:36 (IST)

      Champions Trophy Final LIVE: Jadeja excellent

      Ravindra Jadeja has not conceded a single boundary today. 6 overs of textbook, high quality off-spin. Stump-to-stump, on-point and exquisite. A master at work. Keeps the pressure on, gives away only 4 runs off his sixth over.

      30 OVERS DONE! 20 to go for NZ.

      NZ 135/4 (30)

    • 16:32 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Final LIVE Score: 4 more!

      Glenn Phillips picks up another boundary. Once again, attacking Kuldeep Yadav. Necessary runs here for the Kiwis to get things going. Six first, and now a four. Phillips has started well here. Couple of boundaries leaked by the chinaman.

      NZ 131/4 (29)

    • 16:29 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Final LIVE: Jadeja, top stuff

      5-0-12-1. Ravindra Jadeja has completely squeezed the runs out of New Zealand. Top, top stuff from an experienced customer. A lot of talk about Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, you never know if Jadeja will stay till 2027 either. He has performed well with the ball in this tournament.

      NZ 126/4 (28)

    Topics mentioned in this article




  • Champions Trophy 2024/25, IND vs NZ 12th Match, Group A Match Preview

    Champions Trophy 2024/25, IND vs NZ 12th Match, Group A Match Preview


    Big picture: Kohli joins 300 club

    Scroll down to the form guide section. Actually, no need, because, spoiler warning, both teams have WWWWW next to them going into this match.

    These are two exceptional ODI outfits in potentially title-winning form, deep and balanced thanks to the allrounders they possess. They are well-suited to conditions at this Champions Trophy – particularly, perhaps, to those in Dubai where this contest will take place – thanks to their spin options and the variety of batting gears in their top orders.

    There has also been, especially over the last five years and a bit, a lot of history between these two teams.

    This should, for all those reasons, be a main-course kind of contest, but it’s an appetiser in the context of where this Champions Trophy stands. India and New Zealand are both through to the semi-finals, and know exactly where and when their respective semi-finals will be played. All that remains to be decided is whom they will face there, and it’s unlikely there’s a “preferred” opponent for either team, given it’s a choice between South Africa and Australia.

    With that in mind, and the short turnaround before the semi-finals – particularly in the case of India, who only have a one-day gap before their game on March 4 – Sunday night’s contest may not necessarily be played at vein-throbbing intensity. There’s a chance of big names resting, and also – as India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate suggested on Friday – of key bowlers not completing their full ten-over quotas.

    There’s one man whose intensity is never short of vein-throbbing when he’s on the field, though, and he’s set to play a very special match. Virat Kohli is set to play his 300th ODI, becoming the 22nd player and seventh from India to get to that landmark. Given how infrequently ODIs are now played, and given how far away Kohli’s closest contemporaries are – Mushfiqur Rahim (274) and Rohit Sharma (272) are the only two to have played more than 250 – will he also be the last to get there?

    Form guide

    India WWWWW (last five ODIs, most recent first)
    New Zealand WWWWW

    In the spotlight: Shreyas Iyer and Kyle Jamieson

    India’s batting is yet to face a truly daunting test in this Champions Trophy. They have batted second in both their games so far, and chased down targets of 229 and 242. Whether they bat first or second on Sunday, they are likelier to face a stiffer challenge from New Zealand, particularly from their fingerspinners Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell through the middle overs. It is perhaps in this context that Shreyas Iyer becomes especially important. Where Kohli and KL Rahul have gone at strike rates in the low 80s against spin in the middle overs since the start of 2023, Iyer has struck at 95.24. New Zealand know how dangerous Iyer is against spin – he hit five sixes while scoring 48 off 35 balls against their spinners during his century in the Mumbai World Cup semi-final of 2023.

    If the Kohli generation is India’s golden generation, it probably peaked around the time of the inaugural World Test Championship of 2019-21. And it’s quite possible that India may have won that trophy had they not happened to run into Kyle Jamieson. This towering and hugely gifted fast-bowling allrounder has gone through a testing time since then, mostly due to injury, and he’s now set to face India for the first time in any format since December 2021. Jamieson hasn’t yet had the same impact in ODIs that he has had in Tests; could the sight of his favourite opponents bring out his best?

    Team news: Daryl Mitchell fit, but where does he fit in?

    India only have a day’s gap between this match and their semi-final, but had a six-day gap between their previous match, against Pakistan, and this one. Do they believe, then, that their key players are adequately rested for 200 overs over three days? Or do they rest one or two of them? And what of the players on the bench, and their match-readiness should they suddenly be required in a knockout game? Rohit Sharma and Mohammed Shami went off the field with niggles at various stages during the Pakistan game, but both, according to the team’s press-conference representatives, are fit.

    India didn’t train on Saturday, but Rishabh Pant had an extended session in the nets on Friday, which suggests he could get a game – he has only played one ODI, back in July 2024, since his return from injuries suffered during his car crash. Given that as many as five left-hand batters could feature in New Zealand’s top eight, there’s a chance India may replace one of their two left-arm fingerspinners with the offspinner Washington Sundar. If Pant plays and adds his left-handedness to India’s top five, it relieves them of the need for Axar Patel as a floater.

    India (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Shubman Gill, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Shreyas Iyer, 5 Rishabh Pant (wk), 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Washington Sundar, 9 Harshit Rana, 10 Kuldeep Yadav/Varun Chakravarthy, 11 Mohammed Shami/Arshdeep Singh.

    Daryl Mitchell is fit again after missing the match against Bangladesh with an illness, and this leaves New Zealand with a major top-order headache. Rachin Ravindra, who was himself returning from injury, replaced Mitchell and scored a match-winning hundred against Bangladesh. Will Young scored a hundred in the tournament-opener against Pakistan. Devon Conway, who had replaced Ravindra at the top of the order, has also been among the runs, scoring 97 against South Africa in the tri-series that preceded the Champions Trophy.

    New Zealand (probable): 1 Devon Conway, 2 Rachin Ravindra, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Daryl Mitchell, 5 Tom Latham (wk), 6 Glenn Phillips, 7 Michael Bracewell, 8 Mitchell Santner (capt), 9 Kyle Jamieson, 10 Matt Henry, 11 Will O’Rourke.

    Pitch and conditions: spin to win?

    Dubai has been the most spin-friendly of the four Champions Trophy venues, with spinners currently returning an average of 37.07 and an economy rate of 4.36 here. Rawalpindi is second on both counts, at 40.60 and 4.81.

    This, of course, may also have something do to with the quality of India’s spinners. In any case, the pitches in Dubai, far from being square turners, have tended to be merely slow, with the large outfield also serving as an ally to the slower bowlers.

    Bangladesh and Pakistan both won the toss against India and chose to bat, reflecting the trend for dew not to be much of a factor at this time of the year. It’s possible that bat-first may still be the way to go, given the tendency for the pitches here to slow down over 100 overs.

    A clear, pleasant day is expected on Sunday, with a maximum temperature of 24 degrees Celsius.

    Stats and trivia

    • India and New Zealand have only met once before in the Champions Trophy: the final in 2000 when an unbeaten Chris Cairns century led New Zealand to a four-wicket win.
    • India have won each of their last five completed ODIs against New Zealand; New Zealand won five in a row before that stretch.
    • Tom Latham’s unbeaten 118 made all the headlines, but he also enjoyed a big moment on the field during New Zealand’s tournament-opener against Pakistan: the catch of Shaheen Shah Afridi, off Matt Henry, was his 100th as wicketkeeper in ODIs.

    Quotes

    “That’s a lot of ODI games and a lot of international games and yeah, he’s been… I mean, words fall short to express how good a player he’s been, and what a great servant of Indian cricket he’s been.”
    KL Rahul on Virat Kohli’s impending milestone

    Karthik Krishnaswamy is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo


  • India vs New Zealand LIVE Score Updates, Champions Trophy 2025: Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel In Rescue Act As India Suffer 3 Early Blows vs NZ

    India vs New Zealand LIVE Score Updates, Champions Trophy 2025: Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel In Rescue Act As India Suffer 3 Early Blows vs NZ


    India vs New Zealand LIVE Cricket Updates, ICC Champions Trophy 2025© AFP




    India vs New Zealand LIVE Updates, ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel are in the rescue act for three-down India against New Zealand in a Group A match of Champions Trophy 2025 on Sunday. India got off to a terrible start after being reduced to 30 for 3 in 6.4 overs. Matt Henry removed Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli while Kyle Jamieson got the wicket of Rohit Sharma. Earlier, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and opted to bowl in the game. (Live Scorecard)

    ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Live Updates: India vs New Zealand, straight from Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai:







    • 15:39 (IST)

      Champions Trophy 2025 Live: 50 up for India!

      That is a beautiful sweep shot from the bat of Axar Patel for a four. He gets is through the backward square leg. It is a boundary for India after 51 balls. The four also helps India go past the 50-run mark.

      IND 51/3 (15.1)

    • 15:33 (IST)

      Champions Trophy 2025 Live: Maiden over!

      What a start this is for New Zealand spinner Mitchell Santner! He bowled six consecutive dot balls to Shreyas Iyer in the over. This is a really good test for the Indian cricket team ahead of the semi-finals where they are set to face either of South Africa or Australia.

      IND 44/3 (14)

    • 15:22 (IST)

      Champions Trophy 2025 Live: New Zealand on top!

      Only a single came off William O’Rourke’s over. New Zealand are well in control while India are surely under pressure after losing three early wickets.

      IND 38/3 (11)

    • 15:15 (IST)

      Champions Trophy 2025 Live: 3 runs off the over

      India have been marred with three quick dismissals. Axar Patel has now been joined by Shreyas Iyer at the crease and the duo is looking to stitch a good partnership. In the previous over of Matt Henry, the duo scores two runs as they aim for some boundaries in the upcoming overs. On the other hand, New Zealand are comfortably dominating the game. 

      IND 35/3 (9 overs)

    • 15:10 (IST)

      Champions Trophy 2025 Live: OUT

      OUT!!! WHATTTT????? Is this for real??? Virat Kohli flops on his 300th ODI match and the person to be blamed in Glenn Phillips. Kohli plays a simple shot as Glenn Phillips shows his fielding skills yet again and takes a a single-handed catch. A shell-shocked Kohli looks at Phillips in disbelief as he makes his way back to the dugout. Even the entire crowd is stunned by Phillips’ brilliance. Third wicket gone for India. 

      IND 30/3 (6.4 overs)

    • 15:05 (IST)

      IND vs NZ Live: OUT

      OUT!!!! WHAT IS HAPPENING???? Kyle Jamieson strikes and provides New Zealand with their second breakthrough as he dismisses Rohit Sharma for 15. Rohit tries to play his pull shot but the ball goes up in the air and Will Young takes a good catch at the mid-on. Second wicket gone for India. 

      IND 22/2 (5.1 overs)

    • 14:56 (IST)

      Champions Trophy 2025 Live: Kohli’s fiery entry

      Playing his 300th ODI match, Virat Kohli hits a terrific boundary on the fourth delivery that he played. This boundary comes off Matt Henry in the fifth over. Full outside off, Kohli gets forward and lofts, the bat turns in the hand and the thick inside half is found.

      IND 21/1 (5 overs)

    • 14:49 (IST)

      Champions Trophy 2025 Live: Kohli playing his 300th ODI

      Virat Kohli after 299 ODIs (difference from next best in brackets)

      Most runs: 14085 (+2548)

      Most hundreds: 51 (+18)

      Most 50+ scores: 124 (+32)

      Highest average: 58.20 (+6.26)

      Second highest SR: 93.41 (Only Shahid Afridi’s 113.16 is higher)

    • 14:44 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Live: OUT

      OUT!!! OHH NOOO!!! As India were enjoying a good start provided by their skipper Rohit Sharma, New Zealand get their first breakthrough. Matt Henry strikes and dismisses Shubman Gill for 2. Henry hits onto the pads of Gill as the on-field umpire wastes no time and signals LBW out. This is the first time in this tournament that Gill got out so cheaply. This dismissal came just three balls after Rohit Sharma hammered a huge six off Henry.

      IND 15/1 (2.5 overs)

    • 14:40 (IST)

      Champions Trophy 2025 Live: Good over from Jamieson

      After leaking six runs in the first over of Matt Henry, New Zealand make a good comeback and Kyle Jamieson bowls a good second over. He concedes only 1 run as India openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill aim for boundaries in the upcoming overs. 

      IND 7/0 (2 overs)

    • 14:37 (IST)

      Champions Trophy 2025 Live: Rohit’s fiery boundary

      FOUR!!! What a terrific start for India in this Group Stage match of Champions Trophy against New Zealand. In the first over of Matt Henry, the openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill score six runs, which include a brilliant boundary from Rohit. Shuffles in as Henry goes a tad straighter and a bit slower than the previous deliveries. Sharma gathers it from off and pulls it across the line over mid-wicket for a boundary. This shot leaves Henry stunned as he leaves the crease. 

      IND 6/0 (1 over)

    • 14:30 (IST)

      Champions Trophy 2025 Live: We are underway

      The last group stage match of Champions Trophy 2025 between India and New Zealand finally begins. For India, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill have started the proceedings. The duo need to form a solid opening partnership, in order to give India a good start. On the other hand, Matt Henry will be bowling the first over for New Zealand. Let’s play!!!

    • 14:22 (IST)

      Champions Trophy 2025 Live: Time for the national anthems

      Plays of both the teams are out on the field for their respective national anthems. The last group stage match of Champions Trophy 2025 will begin shortly after this. Please stay tuned for all the live updates. 

    • 14:15 (IST)

      Champions Trophy 2025 Live: Unwanted record for Rohit

      Most consecutive tosses lost by a captain in ODIs

      12 Brian Lara (Oct 1998 – May 1999)

      11 Peter Borren (Mar 2011 – Aug 2013)

      10 Rohit Sharma (Nov 2023 – Mar 2025) *

    • 14:08 (IST)

      Champions Trophy 2025 Live: New Zealand’s Playing XI

      New Zealand (Playing XI): Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham(w), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner(c), Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, William ORourke

    • 14:08 (IST)

      Champions Trophy 2025 Live: India’s Playing XI

      India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy.

    • 14:06 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Live: Here’s what Rohit Sharma said at the toss

      “Was anyway looking to bat first, wanted to see what we could do upfront and then challenge our bowlers since we chased on both games. Approach will be very similar to the previous games, just trying to do the same things. One change for us – Harshit has been rested, Varun is playing for us. It is all about bowling in partnerships, in both games we have combined to pick 19 wickets. Our spinners have restricted them well and then the seamers have got the wickets.”

    • 14:06 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Live: Here’s what Mitchell Santner said at the toss

      “We’ll have a bowl first, looks like a good wicket. Want to put some pressure early and hopefully it skids on well later. We still want to win, we know we are going to be in Lahore later but our job here is do a job here. Daryl Mitchell comes in, Conway misses this one.”

    • 14:02 (IST)

      Champions Trophy 2025 Live: Toss

      New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner won the toss and opted to bowl against India in the Champions Trophy 2025, Group A match in Dubai. 

    • 14:00 (IST)

      Champions Trophy 2025 Live: Pitch report

      “The leg side is shorter for the right handers, and it is a longer hit down the ground. Great weather out here, it is just 24 degrees. This is a black soil pitch from Pakistan, pretty dry and will help spinners in the beginning, but later on it comes on better as the lights come on. The economy rate of the spinners are better, but pacers have picked more wickets,” reckon Simon Doull and Dinesh Karthik.

    • 13:40 (IST)

      Champions Trophy 2025 Live: Will Arshdeep play?

      India regular pacer Mohammed Shami is highly likely to miss the Champions Trophy 2025 match against New Zealand. He endured a calf injury during the match against Pakistan. In his absence, pacer Arshdeep Singh can play for India in his first Champions Trophy. Arshdeep trained under the watchful eyes of bowling coach Morne Morkel, bowling 13 overs with full run-up while Shami only bowled 6-7 overs with a curtailed run-up.

    • 13:31 (IST)

      IND vs NZ Live: India’s tough challenge against NZ

      India do not have very fond memories of facing Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips in a Test series at home late last year, which they lost 0-3, and now they have Bracewell too to tackle. The off-spinner has been quite parsimonious so far, conceding just 3.2 runs per over across two matches. So, the effectiveness of Shubman Gill, India’s standout batter in ODIs of late, batting icon Virat Kohli, who made a morale-boosting 100 against Pakistan, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul against them will have a telling impact on the outcome of the game.

    • 13:18 (IST)

      Champions Trophy 2025 Live: Who will face whom in the semis?

      If India beat New Zealand, they will top Group A and set up a semi-final clash with Australia in the first semi-final on Tuesday, March 4, at the Dubai International Stadium. New Zealand will face South Africa a day later in the second semi-final in that case.

    • 13:18 (IST)

      Champions Trophy 2025 Live: Group scenarios of CT 2025

      With five points in three matches, South Africa finished ahead of Australia, four points, at the summit of Group B. In Group A, India and New Zealand will face on in a group-deciding clash.

    • 12:59 (IST)

      Champions Trophy 2025 Live: India’s dominance over NZ

      India hold a superior ODI record against New Zealand, winning 60 of their 118 encounters. The Kiwis have secured 50 victories, with one match ending in a tie and seven producing no results. In their last ODI clash, India defeated New Zealand by 70 runs in the 2023 World Cup semi-final at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.

    • 12:58 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Live: Top performers of NZ in CT 2025

      Tom Latham is the leading run-scorer for New Zealand with 173 runs followed by Rachin Ravindra (112 runs) and Will Young (107 runs). Michael Bracewell and William O’Rourke lead the wicket-taking chart for the side with five dismissals each.

    • 12:33 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Live: Top performers of India in CT 2025

      Vice-captain Shubman Gill leads India’s run charts in the ongoing tournament, scoring 147 runs in two matches. Kohli follows with 122 runs. On the bowling front, Mohammed Shami has been India’s standout performer with five wickets, while Harshit Rana has claimed four scalps.

    • 12:23 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Live: Kohli- The unstoppable

      Virat Kohli also holds the record for most centuries in ODIs with 51 tons, outdoing his idol Sachin during the World Cup semifinal in 2023 against New Zealand. Among batters having played 100-plus ODI innings, he has the batting average of all time and overall he is at third spot

    • 12:17 (IST)

      India vs New Zealand Live: Mind-blowing records of Kohli

      In 299 ODIs so far, Virat has scored 14,085 runs at an average of 58.20 and a strike rate of 93.41, with 51 centuries and 73 fifties. His best score is 193. He is the third-highest run-getter in the format after Kumar Sangakkara (14,234 runs in 404 matches with 25 centuries) and Sachin Tendulkar (18,426 runs in 463 matches) and India’s second-highest run-getter.

    • 12:09 (IST)

      Champions Trophy 2025 Live: Big day for Kohli

      This match is going to be a special one for star India batter Virat Kohli as it will be his 300th ODI appearance. In-form Kohli will try to make the most of his 300th ODI game after scoring a match-winning century against Pakistan in the second game. Interestingly, Kohli played his 200th ODI also against New Zealand and scored a century.

    • 12:05 (IST)

      Champions Trophy 2025 Live: Hello

      Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Champions Trophy 2025, Group A match between India and New Zealand, straight from Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai. Stay tuned for all the live updates. 

    Topics mentioned in this article


  • Champions Trophy 2024/25, PAK vs NZ 1st Match, Group A Match Preview

    Champions Trophy 2024/25, PAK vs NZ 1st Match, Group A Match Preview


    Big picture: Pakistan vs New Zealand (again)

    We live in a time when the ODI is starved for attention, with the older sibling commanding instant respect for its age and wisdom and the younger one bawling at full lung capacity if you dare to look away while it cartwheels around the room. For all that, the middle child never fails to remind us how captivating it can be whenever a global tournament comes along. The last two ODI World Cups produced so many classics between them, and so many passages of play that showcased the variety of skills that this format can both compress and give breathing room to.

    Given how little we’ve seen of it over the last year-and-a-half or thereabouts, then, our appetite for the ODI should be at its peak, even if the Champions Trophy remains an awkward fit in the calendar and the interests of the ICC’s member boards. So much has happened since Sarfaraz Ahmed lifted this trophy eight years ago, enough for everyone to forget that it even exists, but here we are now, and here it is once again.

    We have Pakistan, the defending champions and (co-ish) hosts, to start us off, and they’ll face familiar foes in the tournament-opener. No visiting team has played more ODIs in this country than New Zealand’s 11 since the start of 2019, and they begin this Champions Trophy a mere five days after beating Pakistan in the final of an ODI tri-series. Karachi hosted that match, and will host this one too.

    It says something about the two teams that New Zealand and Pakistan finished fourth and fifth – just inside and just outside the knockouts spots – on the league tables of both the 2019 and 2023 World Cups, and that Pakistan won the head-to-head meetings both times. It speaks of two teams with potentially title-winning strengths as well as title-squandering flaws, and this, perhaps, makes it the ideal contest to kick things off.

    Form guide

    Pakistan LWLWW (last five completed ODIs, most recent first)
    New Zealand WWWLW

    In the spotlight

    He’s gone 21 innings without an ODI hundred, and while this wouldn’t be abnormal for most batters, Babar Azam isn’t most batters. That sequence only includes two single-digit scores, so it isn’t as if he’s been struggling, but few things will bring as much joy to Pakistan at the start of a global event on home soil as a big score from their until-recently-irreproachable run machine. He’s batting at the top of the order now rather than No. 3, so a score of significance will also ease any doubts Pakistan may have about the structure of their line-up.

    In the recently concluded tri-series, New Zealand’s spinners finished with a combined economy rate of 4.41, which was remarkable considering their Pakistan and South Africa counterparts went at 5.67 and 5.94 respectively. It speaks to the quality of Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell, who picked up five wickets apiece during the tri-series at near-identical averages and economy rates. They form as enviable a spin combination as any in this tournament: a left-arm fingerspinner and an offspinner, both extremely handy with the bat.

    Team news: Rauf boost for Pakistan

    Haris Rauf played no part in the recent ODI tri-series after going off the field with a side strain during the opening game against New Zealand. He has been bowling in the nets in the lead-up to the Champions Trophy, though, and Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan was confident he would be fit to start the tournament-opener. This should leave Pakistan able to pick a full-strength XI.

    Pakistan (possible): 1 Fakhar Zaman, 2 Babar Azam, 3 Saud Shakeel, 4 Mohammad Rizwan (capt & wk), 5 Salman Agha, 6 Tayyab Tahir, 7 Khushdil Shah, 8 Shaheen Shah Afridi, 9 Naseem Shah, 10 Haris Rauf, 11 Abrar Ahmed.

    New Zealand go into the Champions Trophy with two of their original fast-bowling selections – Lockie Ferguson and Ben Sears – out of the tournament. There’s also doubt over whether Rachin Ravindra – who hasn’t played a game since being struck on the head by the ball while fielding during the first match of the tri-series – will be fit to start, but the opener has been batting during training sessions in the lead-up to this tournament. New Zealand will take a call on him after their training session on Tuesday, with Will Young likely to open alongside Devon Conway should they decide not to risk Ravindra. Ferguson’s replacement Kyle Jamieson will not arrive in Karachi in time to be available for the first game.

    New Zealand: 1 Rachin Ravindra/Will Young, 2 Devon Conway, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Daryl Mitchell, 5 Tom Latham (wk), 6 Glenn Phillips, 7 Michael Bracewell, 8 Mitchell Santner (capt), 9 Matt Henry, 10 Jacob Duffy, 11 Will O’Rourke.

    Pitch and conditions

    Karachi hosted the last two matches of the recent tri-series, and they ended up as extremely dissimilar contests. On February 12, South Africa posted 352, the highest-ever total achieved at the venue, but that record only lasted a few hours as Pakistan hunted it down with an over to spare. Two days later, Will O’Rourke bagged four wickets and the unhittable Santner took 2 for 20 in his ten overs as Pakistan, electing to bat first in the final, were bundled out for 242, a total that New Zealand chased down with five wickets and 28 balls to spare.

    What sort of surface will the National Stadium serve up on Wednesday, then? Recent history suggests this is a testing venue for fast bowlers in ODIs, as their combined average of 33.67 and economy rate of 6.02 over this decade would attest. Where Lahore has tended to be just as harsh to spinners, however, Karachi has given them a modicum of respite; while their wickets have come at 45.50, they have only gone at 5.11 per over.

    Going by recent trends, pitches in global tournaments have tended to be good batting surfaces with something for bowlers to work with: the last three ICC ODI events – the 2017 Champions Trophy and the 2019 and 2023 World Cups – finished with overall run rates of 5.54, 5.59 and 5.82 respectively.

    Wednesday is expected to be a warm day in Karachi with a high of 29 degrees Celsius, and little to no chance of rain.

    Stats and trivia

  • New Zealand (2000) and Pakistan (2017) both beat India in the final when they won their respective Champions Trophy titles.

  • New Zealand have faced Pakistan 11 times in ODIs since the start of 2023, and the results have been neck-and-neck. While New Zealand have won five and lost six, they’ve won three of the last four meetings.

  • Of the 47 New Zealand batters to score 1000 ODI runs, Daryl Mitchell has the best average (50.42). His strike rate of 97.89 is also hugely impressive, since all five batters above him on that list average below 30.

  • Of the bowlers from the eight teams in this tournament, Shaheen Shah Afridi (21 at 22.04) is the highest wicket-taker in ODIs since the end of the 2023 World Cup.

  • Babar, Fakhar Zaman and Faheem Ashraf are the only members of Pakistan’s squad who were also part of their victorious 2017 campaign.

    • Quotes

    “We’re all equal whether someone’s a platinum or an emerging player. The senior players have a bit more pressure on them, and we expect ourselves to perform on the biggest occasions, and this is as big as it gets.”
    Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan

    “Anytime you’ve been in conditions you’re been coming up against is an advantage. We’re lucky we’ve been over here for a couple of weeks and played in Pakistan quite a bit over the last three years”
    New Zealand keeper-batter Tom Latham

Karthik Krishnaswamy is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo