IND vs NZ LIVE SCORE, Champions Trophy 2025: India and New Zealand Clash for Group A Supremacy, Toss at 2 PM IST
Dubai, UAE – March 2, 2025
As the clock ticks toward 2 PM IST today, the cricketing world braces for a blockbuster showdown at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, where India and New Zealand lock horns in the final Group A match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. With the toss scheduled for 2 PM IST and the first ball set to be bowled at 2:30 PM IST, this encounter promises high stakes and high drama, even though both teams have already secured their spots in the semifinals. The outcome will determine who tops Group A—and who faces Australia or South Africa in the next round.
As the clock ticks toward 2 PM IST today, the cricketing world braces for a blockbuster showdown at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, where India and New Zealand lock horns in the final Group A match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. With the toss scheduled for 2 PM IST and the first ball set to be bowled at 2:30 PM IST, this encounter promises high stakes and high drama, even though both teams have already secured their spots in the semifinals. The outcome will determine who tops Group A—and who faces Australia or South Africa in the next round.
I’m here at the venue, where the atmosphere is electric despite the early afternoon sun beating down on the stands. The Dubai International Stadium, a neutral battleground for this tournament due to India’s security-related relocation from Pakistan, has been a fortress for both sides so far. India kicked off their campaign with a six-wicket thrashing of Bangladesh, followed by a commanding chase against Pakistan, where Virat Kohli’s 51st ODI century stole the show. New Zealand, meanwhile, have been equally ruthless, dispatching Pakistan and Bangladesh with clinical precision, led by Rachin Ravindra’s maiden Champions Trophy ton against the latter.
As I scan the field, the Indian throw-down specialists are warming up, but there’s no sign yet of Rohit Sharma or his men in blue. Across the ground, the Kiwi camp is buzzing—Mitchell Santner and Kane Williamson are deep in discussion, likely plotting how to tackle India’s formidable batting line-up. The toss, just half an hour away as of 1:29 PM IST, will be pivotal. This Dubai pitch has historically favored teams chasing, though India’s two wins here—both while batting first—suggest they might defy that trend if Rohit calls correctly.
For India, this match is more than just a dead rubber. It’s a chance to fine-tune their game plan ahead of the knockouts and perhaps give fringe players like Rishabh Pant, Arshdeep Singh, or Washington Sundar a run. KL Rahul hinted at this possibility in yesterday’s press conference, saying, “We’re tempted to try new faces, but we also want to keep the momentum.” Kohli, set to play his 300th ODI today, will be the cynosure of all eyes, with wife Anushka Sharma and brother Vikas Kohli reportedly in the stands. Can the ‘King’ add another milestone to his glittering career?
New Zealand, under Santner’s astute leadership, bring their own firepower. Their spin duo of Santner and Michael Bracewell has been a revelation, while the pace trio of Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, and William O’Rourke could exploit any early moisture under Dubai’s clear skies—temperatures are hovering at 26°C now, expected to dip to 22°C by evening. Glenn Phillips, speaking yesterday, downplayed India’s perceived advantage: “We’ve got a no-excuses mindset. It’s about what we do, not them.” With Daryl Mitchell back in contention, the Kiwis face a selection headache—do they stick with Will Young or Rachin Ravindra’s form?
The stakes might seem academic with semifinals assured, but don’t be fooled. The winner today avoids South Africa—the Group B toppers after their win over England yesterday—and takes on Australia instead, a matchup both captains might secretly prefer given recent form. India’s 60-50 ODI head-to-head edge over New Zealand (with seven no-results and one tie) tilts the scales slightly, but the Kiwis’ 10-5 record in ICC events, including that infamous 2019 World Cup semifinal upset, looms large.
As I write, the ground staff are giving the pitch a final roll. It’s expected to offer pace and bounce early, slowing down later for spinners—a balanced surface that’s produced an average first-innings score of 250 here in the tournament. India’s batsmen have struggled against spin at times, but their strategy of milking singles off tweakers while attacking pacers could be key. For New Zealand, containing Kohli and Shreyas Iyer—who’s in red-hot form—will be priority number one.
Fans back home can catch the action live on Star Sports 2 HD/SD (English commentary) or Sports 18 1 HD/SD (Hindi commentary), with streaming available on JioHotstar. As the clock nears 2 PM IST, I’ll be here bringing you every twist and turn—live scores, key moments, and post-toss updates. Will India maintain their unbeaten streak, or will New Zealand spoil the party? The coin’s about to flip, and the battle’s about to begin. Stay tuned!