India vs New Zealand LIVE Score, ICC Champions Trophy 2025: New Zealand Opt to Bowl in the Final Group Stage Match

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is heating up, with India and New-Zealand facing off in the crucial final match of the group stage. On Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, New-Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and made a surprising decision – opting to bowl first against India, despite the fact that the conditions seemed favorable for batting. This match is especially significant as it marks Virat Kohli’s 300th ODI appearance for India, adding a layer of excitement for the fans.

India, looking to secure a spot in the semifinals, has made one change to their playing XI. Pacer Harshit Rana has been rested, and spinner Varun Chakravarthy has been included in the squad. This change highlights India’s strategic shift towards controlling the game with spin, possibly in response to the conditions on offer. Meanwhile, New-Zealand has also made a change, bringing in all-rounder Daryl Mitchell in place of opener Devon Conway.

The stage is set for a thrilling encounter as both teams aim to finish strong in the group stage. With India and New-Zealand both looking to build momentum, this game promises plenty of drama.

India’s Playing XI:

Rohit Sharma (C)
Shubman Gill
Virat Kohli
Shreyas Iyer
Axar Patel
KL Rahul (W)
Hardik Pandya
Ravindra Jadeja
Mohammed Shami
Kuldeep Yadav
Varun Chakravarthy

New Zealand’s Playing XI:

Will Young
Rachin Ravindra
Kane Williamson
Daryl Mitchell
Tom Latham (W)
Glenn Phillips
Michael Bracewell
Mitchell Santner (C)
Matt Henry
Kyle Jamieson
William O’Rourke

Toss & Strategy:

At the toss, Rohit Sharma, India’s captain, expressed his intent to bat first. This approach was in line with the team’s previous two matches, where chasing had been the focus.

On the other hand, New-Zealand’s Mitchell Santner had a slightly different strategy in mind. “We’ll have a bowl first. It looks like a good wicket, and we want to put pressure early. Hopefully, it will skid on better later on,” Santner remarked. His decision suggests that New-Zealand is eyeing early breakthroughs to put India under pressure before the pitch conditions potentially improve in the latter stages of the game.

The Pitch and Weather Report:

The Dubai pitch, known for its dry nature, is expected to assist spinners early on, with the dry conditions providing grip. However, as the game progresses and the lights come on, the pitch may flatten out, offering more assistance to pacers. Commentators Simon Doull and Dinesh Karthik noted that while spinners have maintained a better economy rate, pacers have managed to pick up more wickets in this tournament. The weather conditions in Dubai are quite pleasant, with the temperature hovering around 24°C, providing a comfortable environment for the players.

Virat Kohli’s Milestone:

One of the key talking points in this match is Virat Kohli’s 300th ODI appearance for India. A legendary figure in Indian cricket, Kohli’s milestone adds a special significance to the match, and fans are eagerly anticipating his performance on such an important occasion. The seasoned batter, who has been one of India’s most consistent performers over the years, will look to lead from the front and provide the stability needed for India’s batting lineup.

India’s Key Players to Watch:

Rohit Sharma (C): The Indian captain has been in excellent form and will be crucial at the top of the order. With the added responsibility of leading the team, Sharma’s calmness and experience will be vital in guiding India to a strong total.
Shubman Gill: With his impressive consistency, Gill has emerged as a top-run scorer for India. His ability to build partnerships at the top of the order is key to India’s success.
Hardik Pandya: As an all-rounder, Pandya plays a dual role, not only contributing with the ball but also providing much-needed firepower with the bat in the lower order.
Ravindra Jadeja: Jadeja’s role as a spinner and an explosive lower-order batsman is crucial for India, especially in tight situations.

New-Zealand’s Key Players to Watch:

Kane Williamson: New-Zealand’s experienced captain and top-order batter will be the anchor of their batting lineup. His ability to read the game and anchor the innings is invaluable.
Mitchell Santner (C): Apart from leading the team, Santner’s left-arm spin and handy batting lower down the order make him an important player for New-Zealand.
Kyle Jamieson: The tall pacer is known for his ability to generate bounce and swing. His performance with the ball could be a decisive factor in New-Zealand’s bowling attack.
Daryl Mitchell: The inclusion of Mitchell provides balance to the New-Zealand lineup, as his ability to contribute with both bat and ball can make a significant impact.

Rohit Sharma’s Record of Consecutive Toss Losses:

In an unfortunate turn of events, Rohit Sharma has set an unwanted record for most consecutive toss losses by a captain in ODIs. This marks the 13th consecutive toss loss for Sharma in ODIs, surpassing the previous records held by cricket legends such as Brian Lara and Peter Borren. While the toss may not directly impact the game’s outcome, it is a streak that Sharma and the Indian team would hope to end soon.

Conclusion:

As the match between India and New-Zealand unfolds, all eyes will be on the performance of key players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Kane Williamson, as well as the impact of the changes in the playing XI. With both teams eager to finish the group stage on a high, the match promises to be an exciting and competitive contest. Whether it’s the challenge of setting a big total or the pursuit of chasing down a target, this encounter is sure to keep fans on the edge of their seats until the very last ball.

Stay tuned for live updates, and follow the action as the game progresses. The road to the semifinals in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is about to get even more intense!