It’s official: India will face Australia in the Champions Trophy semifinal, while New Zealand is set to play South Africa in Lahore. With both teams already qualified from Group A, this match was about momentum, and India delivered a strong message. Their four-pronged spin attack effectively stifled New Zealand, defending a total of 249 and winning by 44 runs.
Varun Chakaravarthy spearheaded the spin attack, replacing a fast bowler to exploit Dubai’s turning pitch. Ironically, Dubai was where his career faltered years ago. However, in excellent form, Varun was unplayable, achieving his maiden ODI five-wicket haul. Together, India’s spinners took 9 wickets for 156, halting New Zealand’s chase despite Kane Williamson’s valiant 81.
India’s 249 was just slightly more than Pakistan’s score at the same venue a week earlier. But the pitch offered more spin, and dew wasn’t a factor, validating India’s spin-heavy strategy. Rohit Sharma introduced spin early, bringing in Axar Patel in the sixth over. Earlier, Hardik Pandya dismissed Rachin Ravindra with a short ball, caught by Axar.
Varun began with a full delivery, hit for four by Williamson. But he quickly adjusted his length and troubled New Zealand’s batsmen with his variations. He bowled Will Young, who played inside the line. Daryl Mitchell, known for his spin-hitting ability, struggled against India’s tight field and Kuldeep Yadav’s spin, eventually falling LBW to Kuldeep.
India’s spinners consistently attacked the stumps, making LBW a key dismissal. Tom Latham missed a reverse sweep against Ravindra Jadeja, while Varun dismissed Glenn Phillips and Michael Bracewell, though Bracewell might have survived a review.
Williamson anchored New Zealand’s innings, surviving three dropped catches. However, with the required run rate increasing, he attempted to attack Axar but was stumped for 81. This effectively ended New Zealand’s hopes, allowing Varun to take two more wickets and complete his five-wicket haul.
Before Varun’s impressive performance, Matt Henry had taken 5 for 42 for New Zealand, echoing his performance in the 2019 World Cup semifinal. He dismissed Shubman Gill LBW with a fuller delivery.
Virat Kohli, after his century, attempted to counter Henry, but his cut shot was caught by a brilliant catch from Phillips. Rohit Sharma mistimed a pull shot, falling to mid-wicket. India were quickly 30 for 3.
India’s situation at 30 for 3 mirrored their position in the 2019 World Cup semifinal. Axar Patel and Shreyas Iyer then stabilized the innings, forming a partnership. Their start was slow, with 51 balls without a boundary. Axar eventually found his rhythm, hitting boundaries.
Bracewell surprisingly struggled on a spin-friendly pitch. Iyer attacked Bracewell, stepping out and rocking back to hit boundaries. Iyer also scored boundaries off O’Rourke, pushing India past 100.
Iyer reached a vital half-century, continuing his strong ODI record against New Zealand with his sixth 50+ score in eight innings. However, scoring became difficult, and the 98-run partnership ended when Axar was dismissed for 42.
Iyer and KL Rahul added a quick partnership, but Iyer’s attempt to pull a short ball led to his dismissal for 79. Rahul soon followed, outfoxed by Santner’s spin.
At 182 for 6, India risked not completing their 50 overs. But Hardik Pandya’s crucial 45, along with Jadeja, added 41 runs. Henry dismissed Jadeja with a great catch by Williamson. Henry took two more wickets in the final over, finishing with five, but Varun’s performance overshadowed his effort.
Brief scores: India 249 in 50 overs (Shreyas Iyer 79, Hardik Pandya 45; Matt Henry 5-42) defeated New Zealand 205 in 45.3 overs (Kane Williamson 81; Varun Chakaravarthy 5-42) by 44 runs.
