The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 heated up today as India and New Zealand clashed at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in their final Group A match, starting at 2:30 PM IST. Both teams, already semifinal-bound after wins over Pakistan and Bangladesh, are vying for the top spot, which dictates their next opponent—Australia or South Africa. As of 2:49 PM IST, India’s innings is underway, with the scoreboard reading 15/1 after 2.5 overs.

New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner won the toss and chose to bowl, banking on his bowlers to exploit early conditions under clear 22°C skies. India’s XI featured Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli (in his 300th ODI), Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, and Varun Chakaravarthy—replacing Harshit Rana. New Zealand fielded Will Young, Daryl Mitchell (for Devon Conway), Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Santner, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, and William O’Rourke.

India’s start was brisk but shaky. Rohit smashed a four off Henry in the first over and a six in the second, lifting India to 14/0 by 2.2 overs. However, Henry struck back at 2.5, trapping Gill lbw for 2(7), leaving India at 15/1. Kohli joined Rohit, bringing experience to steady the ship on a pitch favoring batsmen early but known to assist spin later.

This rivalry carries weight—India lead ODIs 60-50, but New Zealand edge ICC events 10-5. With India on a five-match winning streak and New Zealand equally hot, this clash is a semifinal prelude. Fans on Star Sports and JioHotstar await a thriller as Dubai’s large boundaries test both sides’ mettle.