WHO: India vs New Zealand
Contents: ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Location: Dubai International Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
When: Sunday, March 2nd, 1pm (09:00 GMT)
Follow Al Jazeera’s live coverage.
India and New Zealand book the semi-final spot for the Champions Trophy early in the 50-over tournament, clashing in Dubai on Sunday, with the winners topping Group A.
South Africa will break through Group B and face the loser of Sunday’s match, while Australia will finish second in that group and face the winner of the final match of the group stage.
India will take part in the match after six days of match breaks since its victory over Pakistan.
There will be a day of recovery between Tuesday’s final group match and the semi-finals in Dubai. Certainly, many of the talks heading into the game have focused on injuries and player workloads.
What is the Indian Team News?
Indian skippers Rohit Sharma and Mohammed Shami are raring, deserving to compete against New Zealand the team said.
In India’s previous victory over the Pakistan Great Cathedral, Rohit and Pace’s spearhead Shami left the field for a short time, urging temporary questions about the fitness of the two players.
“As far as I know, there is no real concern about anyone missing the game,” wicketkeeper batsman KL Rahul told reporters before the New Zealand clash.
Rahul said all players had been to gyms and training and there was nothing serious about it, even if there were some niggles.
The 34-year-old Shami recently returned to international cricket after a long injury layoff, claiming a 5-53 figure in India’s opening victory over Bangladesh.
However, against Pakistan, he appeared to have some issues with his ankles as he went out for treatment only to return later and return for India’s bailout.
Rocht also said that his deputy Shevman Gill left the ground with a brief lead over the team, and television commentators suggested that the captain was plagued by hamstring tension.
Rohit came back and handed the quick start with 15 balls 20 in his regular opening slot.
India’s assistant coach Ryan Ten Dochet has dismissed Rohit’s fitness concerns.
“He’s fine. You can see him batting, he’s fielded a bit before,” Ten Dochate said. “It’s an injury he had before, so he knows how to manage it really well, and he’s on top of it.”
Shami was India’s go-to bowler if not for pace ace Jasplit Bumra, who failed to recover from a back injury and missed the eight-country tournament.
“I don’t think rest is a problem. It’s a way to back-up two games. Bowling second in Shami Bowling 10 Overs, doing it again in 36 hours can mean a lot of workload,” says Ten Doschate.
“Rocht needs to manage it on the field to keep the guys fresh for the first semi-finals.”
What is New Zealand Team News?
Daryl Mitchell, a stubborn first-class batsman, has declared he deserves to face India after missing out on a victory in Bangladesh on Monday due to illness.
“It’s obviously a shame to go a little bit and miss the final game,” Mitchell said.
“It’s nice to be back in the group and leave the hotel room, take part in training and look forward to the next match.
“It’s another game of cricket that’s really excited to represent our country and it should be fun to come on Sunday.”
Raychin Rabindra, who had returned from a concussion, replaced Mitchell in Rawalpindi’s batting order with Bangladesh, earning a sparkling 112 as the Black Cap booked the spot in the knockout round. This was the fourth three-digit score for the opener in the ICC tournament.
So coach Gary Stead has the embarrassment of wealth in the batting division, even if he suggests that he might rest the players carrying Niguls for the Indian match.
Where do you win the Indian and New Zealand games?
Dubai’s pitch is slowing down as spinners play a role. India’s Kuldeep Yadav claimed three wickets in his victory in Pakistan.
New Zealand’s spinforce also shines, with spinner Michael Braiswell returning the 4-26 figure in his previous victory in Bangladesh at Rawalpindi.
Former Dutch and Essex all-arounder Ten Doschate said Sunday’s clash could be a spinner’s fight.
“Yeah, I think so. We also have four spinners, so maybe it’s a spin contest,” Ten Doschate said.
“I don’t think we expected such an overreliance on the spin when we compete, but the guys bowled well and the pitch helped a bit.”
What is the chance for New Zealand to upset India in Dubai?
Returning to New Zealand batsman, Mitchell said the fact that a variety of different batters had decisive interventions in the match was a clear positive.
“What we are proud of is that when circumstances direct you do your job for the team,” he said.
“I’m sure another hand will stick your hands into the next few games and will help you win the game if possible.”
Why is India not playing games in Pakistan?
All India matches are played in the United Arab Emirates, not in Pakistan, the host country of the 2025 edition. The move comes after the Indian Cricket Committee (BCCI) reached an agreement between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Pakistan.
Spirits are high in New Zealand camps ahead of #ChampionsTrophy’s clash with India.
– ICC (@ICC) February 28, 2025
What are the Indian and New Zealand records in the Champions Trophy?
India claimed twice in the Champions Trophy in 2002 and 2013, but lost the final to Pakistan in the previous edition. New Zealand, who took part in the tournament, ranked fourth in ODI cricket and unlocked the trophy in 2000.
What are your pre-tournament opportunities for India and New Zealand?
India was clearly labelled as a favorite, especially due to the advantage of playing all matches in Dubai, but they made a pursuit effort in the opening match against Bangladesh. The century of Towhid Hridoy made that game. But India was chasing, but may have fallen into deep trouble due to the century of Shubman Gill, who pursued the 229.
Rohit Sharma’s team lost to Australia at the 2023 Cricket World Cup, but mitigated the blow by claiming victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
New Zealand was assigned as a team that disrupts the odds as India, Pakistan and Australia fantasized ahead of Kiwi for the Champions Trophy.
Their fitness and fielding standards have, as expected, been exceptional, pushing Kiwi respect for making them the main Indian challenger. But that means they likely need to overcome India twice in Dubai.
Form Guide – India
Winnings in both matches so far are a major boost for the Indian side, which has been limiting international cricket on a day since the 2023 Cricket World Cup final.
The 3-0 series whitewash against England on the eve of the tournament was heavily boosted following a 2-0 defeat in the three-match series against Sri Lanka last August.
Form Guide – New Zealand
New Zealand has reached the knockout stage in four of their last five ICC Limited Over World Cups. Before his two victories in this edition, Kiwis secured a Trination Series against South Africa and held Pakistan.
Icymi | Rachin Ravindra has been at the top of the BlackCaps list for most centuries at the ICC ODI event. #statchat #championstrophy pic.twitter.com/5jvzznhs6q
– Blackcaps (@blackcaps) March 1, 2025
The last 5 ODI matches
India: wwww New Zealand: wwwww
When and where will the semi-finals be held?
The first semi-finals will be performed on Tuesday, and the second semi-finals will be performed on Wednesday.
The first match will take place in Dubai. This is because India will be involved even if they finish first or second in the group.
The second match will take place in Lahore.
When and where will the final be played?
The final is scheduled to take place in Lahore on March 9th.
If India reaches the final, the match will be switched to Dubai.
Indian Squadron
Squads: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill (vice captain), Virat Kohli, Shreiyas Ayer, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Aqua Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jaspuri Bumra, Mohamed Sham (Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakravarthy).
New Zealand Team
Squad: Mitchell Santner (captain), Michael Blaiswell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway (wicketkeeper), Rocky Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham (wicketkeeper), Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Raychin Rabindra, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson,
prepping #nzvind preparation👌👌 #TeamIndia | #championstrophy pic.twitter.com/ypl0v6ackw
– BCCI (@BCCI) February 27, 2025
