Match No. 12 of the current Champions Trophy 2025 saw India defeat New Zealand in a decisive cricket match. By a score of 44 runs, the Men in Blue won the match, which took place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai. The victory wasn’t simple, though, as wicketkeeper KL Rahul stumped Kiwi batsman Kane Williamson after he had kept his team in the hunt with a misleading delivery from Axar Patel.
With 81 runs off 120 balls, Williamson was intent on winning the match for the BlackCaps.
However, Axar Patel wizardry caused the seasoned batter to leave, ending their hopes of winning the match.
Axar Patel’s feet were touched by an ecstatic Virat Kohli in appreciation of the outstanding bowling performance, which ended Williamson’s stay at the crease and immediately put India back in the game.
Virat Kohli touching Axar Patel’s feet after he got Williamson out 😂 pic.twitter.com/Tf8wIQ1jxs
— Virat Kohli Fan Club (@Trend_VKohli) March 2, 2025
Williamson’s wicket was crucial to the outcome of the match since the Kiwi team collapsed after that in their attempt to reach the 250-run goal set by the Rohit Sharma-led team. Soon after Axar’s spell broke, everyone’s attention was focused on Varun Chakravarthy, who the New Zealanders had no idea about. During his first Champions Trophy match, Chakravarthy went on to take five wickets, earning him the Player of the Match title.
“I did experience some initial anxiety. Having not played many ODIs for India, I was anxious. As the game went on, it felt better. I was being talked to by Virat, Rohit, Shreyas, and Hardik, who all urged me to relax. Last night, I learned about play. Though anxious, I was looking forward to playing for my nation. If you bowled in the correct spots, it helped, but it wasn’t a rank-turner. how the pacers, Jaddu, Axar, and Kuldeep bowled. The entire crew worked together.
In the first semi-final, which will take place at the same location on Tuesday, March 4, the Indian team will play Australia. The next day, Mitchell Santner’s team will travel to Lahore to play South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium.
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