New Zealand Restrict India to 249 in Champions Trophy 2025 Clash

New Zealand Restrict India

Sports Mar 3, 2025 52 Add to Reading List

During the Group A match of the Champions Trophy 2025, New Zealand bowled well and held India to 249 runs in 50 overs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

The game was fascinating. With 5 for 42, Matt Henry was the show's star as New Zealand controlled key parts of the game and set up an exciting finish.

Both teams had already made it to the next round, so the game was a battle for first place in the group and momentum going into the next round. Fans eagerly followed updates online, with many searching for Billy 777 login to access live scores and match analysis.

New Zealand got off to a good start with the ball.

New Zealand won the toss and chose to bowl first. They made an instant impact with the ball. Matt Henry, in particular, did a lot to break down India's top order. Henry's ability to adapt his lengths and exploit the conditions proved crucial on a slow surface favouring spin.

India's in-form opener, Shubman Gill, was caught LBW by Henry early on. The ball had been pushed fuller after a run of shorter balls. After scoring a hundred in the last game, Virat Kohli tried to take on Henry, but Glenn Phillips caught him beautifully at backward point.

Phillips, who had already been very athletic with a spectacular catch earlier in the game, did it again. India was already having a bad time when captain Rohit Sharma was out for a lousy pull shot. They were now 30 for 3.

India's Coming Back Thanks to Iyer and Axar

India needed a partnership to keep the game going since the top order was already out. They did what they needed to do and put together a crucial 98-run stand for the fourth wicket.

The two players were cautious at first, and in the first 51 balls they played together, no boundaries were scored. They did, however, slowly find their flow, with Iyer leading the way.

Iyer was especially good at dealing with New Zealand's spin bowlers. It was good how he used his feet against Michael Bracewell. He would often step out to stop the bowler's shapes.

Axar, on the other hand, did some light work by sweeping and nudging the ball around to keep the scoring going. Iyer's 75-ball half-century was a testament to his growing reputation as a reliable middle-order batsman, especially against New Zealand, against whom he now has six 50+ scores in his last eight ODI innings.

The turning point: Axar's firing

India was taking control of the game until Axar was out for 42. This was a turning point in the match. He tried to paddle a delivery to fine leg, but all he could do was hit the fielder. This ended the partnership that had brought India back into the game. This wicket sparked a collapse, as India quickly lost their next three wickets.

Iyer looked like he was going to get a hundred, but he got out for 79 when he tried to pull a short ball and hit the ball over the fence. KL Rahul and Iyer were progressing in their partnership when Mitchell Santner bowled a sharp turner that caught Rahul off guard. Rahul edged the ball to the wicketkeeper. India was 182 for 6 in the 40th over and could have been bowled out before their 50 overs were up.

Hardik Pandya's Late Rise

At the bottom of the order, Hardik Pandya made a key contribution that helped India bat out all their overs. He hit some hard shots during his 45-run innings and added 41 runs with Ravindra Jadeja to give India a strong score.

But Matt Henry cut short even this good stand. He went back on the attack and bowled Jadeja out with the help of a stunning catch by Kane Williamson at backward point.

Henry was a master of death bowling in his last over, taking two more wickets to finish with five. His figures of 5 for 42 were instrumental in restricting India to 249, a total that seemed below par on a surface that had offered some help to the batters.

How Great New Zealand's Fielding Was

Henry's bowling was the best thing about New Zealand's game, but their defence was also critical in keeping India in check. The catch that Glenn Phillips made to get rid of Virat Kohli was pure brilliance, and Kane Williamson's fantastic effort to throw back Jadeja showed how dedicated the team was to being the best on the field. These great defense plays saved runs and made the team feel better at essential times.

India is having trouble with the bat.

India's hitting was all over the place. The partnership between Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel gave people hope, but the collapse of the top order and their failure to speed up in the death overs cost them a lot. The fact that they brought out four spinners showed how worried they were about the slow surface, but it was New Zealand's seamers, led by Henry, who made a difference.

To read more blog: Sediqullah Atal

There will be a close race ahead.

As the teams head into the second innings, New Zealand will be happier, having restricted India to a manageable score. But India's attack is heavy on spin, and the weather is good for slow bowling so that the chase won't be easy. Both teams are eager to show who is the best before the knockout stages, so the game should be fascinating.