India-New Zealand
CT 2025: Varun Chakaravarthy scalps five wickets to help India beat NZ, setup semi-final clash against Australia
Varun Chakaravarthy showed promise and used the track conditions in Dubai positively to help India beat New Zealand by 44 runs in their last Group Stage match of the Champions Trophy on Sunday, moving to the last-four as the dominant topper.
Varun Chakaravarthy scalped five wickets, which helped Indian bowl out New Zealand for 205 runs after the batsmen had posted a competitive 249 runs for the loss of nine wickets.
With this victory, India are set up for a semi-final clash against Australia. The match will be played in the same venue.
New Zealand and South Africa will face off in Pakistan for the other last-four match.
Chasing 250 for victory on a turning track, Kane Williamson remained the only positive in the lineup, which crumbled in front of the Indian spin attack.
Kane scored 81 runs followed by skipper Mitchell Santner (28), who was the second-highest scorer in the lineup.
Kuldeep Yadav accounted for two wickets while Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja picked up a wicket each to end New Zealand's run.
The match assumed significance since New Zealand had whitewashed India during their recent visit to the South Asian country.
It also marked the 300th ODI match of Virat Kohli.
Despite Kane Williamson's crafty and patient knock, New Zealdn lost seven wickets for 72 runs.
The Indian team is playing all their matches in Dubai since it rejected travelling to Pakistan amid strained political relationship, which is hosting an ICC event after gap of 29 years.
Earlier, India posted 249 runs for the loss of nine wickets after suffering an initial crumbling of the batting lineup that wsa reduced to 3-30.
Shreyas Iyer played a sensible knock of 79 runs to help the recovery.
Axar Patel (42) and Iyer added 98 runs in the partnership to push Indian innings forward that struggled in front of Matt Henry's (5-42) spell.
Hardik Pandya joined late and hit 45-ball 45 runs, and Ravindra Jadeja contributed 16 to help India post 249 runs on the scorecard.
Matt Henry remained the destructive force in the New Zealand attack as he picked up five wickets by giving away 42 runs.
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