Champions Trophy: India, New Zealand clash ahead of knockout stage
What's the story
The last group-stage match of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will be a blockbuster, between India and New Zealand, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 2.
Both the sides have already qualified for the semi-finals, and are unbeaten in the tournament so far.
The upcoming match will not just end their unbeaten streaks but also decide their semi-final opponents.
Details
Pitch report and streaming details
As has been the case, the pitch at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium is expected to be slow. The same was witnessed in India's clashes against Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Rohit Sharma's men have comfortably chased down the targets so far.
The match be live telivised on Star Sports Network, while JioStar will provide the live streaming (2:30pm IST).
Winning streak
India's triumphant journey in the tournament
India's journey in the tournament has been a dream run, including wins over Bangladesh and arch-rivals Pakistan.
Despite losing early wickets, Pakistan recovered well due to a century stand between Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel.
However, the recovery was short-lived as another collapse happened under the pressure from Indian bowlers Kuldeep Yadav and Hardik Pandya.
India chased down the 242-run target on the back of Virat Kohli's magnificent century.
Tournament progression
New Zealand's path to semi-finals
New Zealand's route to the semi-finals was smoothened by a thumping win over Bangladesh.
Michael Bracewell's four-wicket haul triggered a top-order collapse for Bangladesh, which was later steadied by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto.
Despite spirited bowling from Bangladesh, New Zealand chased down 237 with Rachin Ravindra's century on his Champions Trophy debut and a half-century from Tom Latham.
Record
A look at head-to-head record
The two teams have played 118 ODI matches between them, and India have an edge here.
The Men in Blue have won 60 matches in comparison to NZ's 50 victories. One match ended in a tie, while seven games were inconclusive.
India and New Zealand clashed twice in the 2023 ODI World Cup, with the former winning both encounters, including the semi-final.
Probable XI
Will India, NZ test their bench strengths?
India (Probable XI): Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, and Kuldeep Yadav.
New Zealand (Probable XI): Will Young, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Tom Latham (wicket-keeper), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (captain), Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, and William ORourke.
Player milestones
Key milestones to watch out for
Virat Kohli will play his 300th ODI. He requires 52 more to become India's highest run-getter in Champions Trophy.
Meanwhile, KL Rahul is just 56 away from reaching 3,000 runs in ODIs.
Rohit Sharma is nearing 1,000 ODI runs against New Zealand. In 29 games (27 innings), he owns a tally of 982 runs at 37.76.
As per ESPNcricinfo, Rohit is also nearing 2,500 runs at neural venues, needing 21 to reach the landmark.