source : ICC
India stormed into the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy 2025 India vs New Zealand with a commanding 44-run win over New Zealand, fueled by a spellbinding performance from Varun Chakravarthy. Making his tournament debut, the mystery spinner conjured magic with the ball, scalping five crucial wickets for just 42 runs. This dazzling display not only avenged his previous struggles in Dubai but also solidified India’s showdown with Australia in the upcoming semi-final on Tuesday.
The victory was built on the backbone of India’s spin arsenal. Axar Patel set the tone with a tight spell, suffocating the Kiwi batters, but it was Chakravarthy who spun a web around them. His clever mix of top spinners, googlies, and leg breaks left the New Zealand middle order clueless. Axar’s persistence was rewarded with a last-ball breakthrough, dismissing Kane Williamson — New Zealand’s pillar of hope — who scored a valiant 81 off 120 balls before falling under the mounting pressure.
India’s batting innings, though far from smooth, showed resilience. Shreyas Iyer anchored the innings with a well-crafted 79 off 98 balls, while Hardik Pandya added late fireworks with his quickfire 45 off 45 deliveries. The Men in Blue had a rocky start, losing Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli within the first seven overs, slumping to 30/3. However, a crucial 98-run stand between Iyer and Axar Patel stabilized the innings and ensured India reached a fighting total of 249/9.
New Zealand’s bowlers, led by Matt Henry, kept India from cutting loose. Henry’s fiery spell of 5/42 was the standout performance with the ball, while Kyle Jamieson’s miserly eight-over spell conceded just 31 runs. Rachin Ravindra chipped in with a key wicket, breaking the Iyer-Axar partnership at a critical moment. Despite the Blackcaps’ disciplined bowling, India’s late surge ensured they set a tricky target.
The night belonged to Varun Chakravarthy, who turned the game on its head with his unrelenting attack. Once seen as a T20 specialist, his evolution as an ODI match-winner was on full display. The hard yards put in during the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Tamil Nadu have clearly paid off. His heroics earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match award, as India now gears up for a high-stakes clash against Australia. The road to glory continues, and with momentum on their side, India marches confidently into the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy 2025 India vs New Zealand.
