Matt Henry picked up a stunning 5-42 to help New Zealand bowl India out for 249/9 in their final Group A match of the 2025 Champions Trophy at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.
Electing to bowl first, New Zealand capitalized on the black-soil pitch, keeping India in check throughout their innings. Shreyas Iyer rescued the Indian side with a fine knock of 79, supported by Axar Patel, who scored 42. However, Hardik Pandya’s run-a-ball 45 ensured India posted a competitive total.
New Zealand’s Seamers Make Early Breakthroughs
With some help for the fast bowlers, Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson tested the Indian batters with seam and swing. Henry struck early, trapping Shubman Gill plumb lbw for just two. Jamieson soon joined the attack when Rohit Sharma mistimed a pull and was caught for 15.
Virat Kohli, in his 300th ODI, found some boundaries, but his innings ended on 11 when he cut a delivery from Henry into the hands of Glenn Phillips at backward point. India ended the first powerplay at 37/3.
Iyer and Axar Fight Back
India struggled for boundaries, going 51 balls without one, until Axar Patel swept Mitchell Santner for a four. Shreyas Iyer also impressed, bringing up his 22nd ODI fifty off 75 balls. Axar took a liking to Michael Bracewell’s spin, hitting him for two fours and a six over extra cover.
The pair shared a 98-run stand before Axar fell for 42, caught at backward square leg off Rachin Ravindra. Iyer continued to play aggressively, hitting a six off both Ravindra and William O’Rourke. However, a short ball from O’Rourke led to Iyer’s downfall as he top-edged a pull and was caught at short mid-wicket for 79.
Pandya’s Late Flourish and Henry’s Five-Wicket Haul
KL Rahul contributed 23 before being dismissed by Santner. Hardik Pandya then took charge, hitting Michael Bracewell for six and Ravindra for four. He also pulled O’Rourke for a boundary, helping India to a late flourish.
Pandya hit Henry for a brilliant forehand-like shot for four, but the seamer soon dismissed Ravindra Jadeja, who was caught by Kane Williamson at backward point for 7. With the bowlers keeping the pressure on, Pandya struck back in the 49th over, hitting Jamieson for back-to-back fours and a six over long-on, taking 15 runs off the penultimate over.
Despite Pandya’s late assault, Henry struck again in the final over, dismissing Pandya and Mohammed Shami to complete his five-wicket haul. India finished with 249/9, with Henry’s exceptional bowling leading New Zealand’s dominance.
Brief scores: India: 249/9 in 50 overs (Shreyas Iyer 79, Hardik Pandya 45; Matt Henry 5-42) vs New Zealand.
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