India Sets a 250-Run Target for New Zealand in ICC Champions Trophy 2025

New Delhi: In a highly anticipated clash, India and New Zealand faced off in match number 12 of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Batting first, the Indian team posted a competitive total of 250 runs, with Shreyas Iyer leading the charge with a well-crafted 79-run knock. Hardik Pandya provided valuable support with a quickfire 45. Both teams have already secured their places in the semi-finals, and the winner of this match will face Australia, while the losing team will take on South Africa in the knockout stage.

Early Setbacks for India

India’s innings got off to a shaky start as they lost three crucial wickets within the first powerplay. The first blow came in the third over when vice-captain Shubman Gill was trapped LBW by fast bowler Matt Henry after scoring just 2 runs. The situation worsened when captain Rohit Sharma, after making 15 runs, attempted a pull shot off Kyle Jamieson’s delivery and was caught by Will Young in the sixth over. The biggest setback followed soon after, as star batter Virat Kohli was dismissed for 11 runs, caught brilliantly by Glenn Phillips off Henry’s bowling. At this stage, India was struggling at 34/3.

Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel Stabilize the Innings

With India in deep trouble, Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel took charge and steadied the innings. The duo stitched together a crucial 98-run partnership for the fourth wicket, guiding India past the 100-run mark. Shreyas, showing great composure, reached his half-century in 75 balls, marking his second consecutive fifty in the tournament. However, their partnership was broken when part-time spinner Rachin Ravindra dismissed Axar Patel. Axar contributed a valuable 42 runs off 61 balls, including three boundaries and a six. By the time of his dismissal, India had reached 128/4.

Middle-Order Contributions and Shreyas Iyer’s Departure

Following Axar’s exit, KL Rahul joined Shreyas Iyer at the crease, and the two built another promising partnership, adding 44 runs to the scoreboard. Shreyas, looking set for a century, played fluently but fell short when fast bowler William O’Rourke dismissed him. His innings of 79 off 98 balls included four fours and two sixes, providing India with much-needed stability. Soon after, KL Rahul (23) lost his wicket to Mitchell Santner’s spin, and Ravindra Jadeja (16) was run out by Matt Henry, further denting India’s momentum.

Hardik Pandya’s Late Flourish

Despite the middle-order collapse, Hardik Pandya stepped up in the latter part of the innings, playing an aggressive knock of 45 runs. His quick runs in the death overs helped India reach a respectable total of 250. With a challenging target set, India will now look to their bowlers to defend the score against a formidable New Zealand batting lineup in what promises to be an exciting second innings.