India vs New Zealand has become one of the most important rivalries in ICC tournaments. These two teams often meet in the knockout rounds of the ICC tournaments. New Zealand has given a lot of heartbreaks to India. The 2019 World Cup semi final and the 2021 World Test Championship Final are the biggest. Both India and New Zealand have qualified for the semi finals. The only thing left to be determined in this match is who will finish at the Top of the group. The match will take place on 2nd March 2025 In Dubai. Let’s look at this clash in more detail
India vs New Zealand Historical Context
India and New Zealand have only played one match in the history of the ICC Champions Trophy. It was the final in 2000. India made 264 runs in the first innings. Sourav Ganguly made a brilliant 117 Runs. However, New Zealand chased the total and they beat India by 4 wickets. India vs New Zealand has happened 119 times in ODI Cricket. India has won 60 Matches and New Zealand has won 50 Matches. This will be their 120th Match.
India vs New Zealand Recent ODI Performances by the Teams
India
India has been the best ODI team ever since 2023. They have had only one bad game and it was the final of the 2023 World Cup. India recently demolished England by 3-0. England are out of the ICC Champions Trophy. In this ongoing ICC Champions Trophy, India has won both it’s league matches so far by beating Bangladesh and Pakistan. India won the 2024 T20I World Cup which has given them the confidence that they can win multiple ICC tournaments.
New Zealand
New Zealand have also played very good ODI Cricket these past few years. They were in the semi finals of the 2023 ODI World Cup. New Zealand recently won the tri series that featured Pakistan and South Africa. They won all the 3 Matches of the tri series. They also beat Sri Lanka in a 3 Match ODI Series by 2-1. New Zealand beat Pakistan and Bangladesh easily. Rachin Ravindra and Will Young have made hundreds for them. This match against India is a good opportunity for them to assert the fact that they should not be taken lightly.
India vs New Zealand (IND vs NZ) Squads
India Squad for Champions Trophy 2025
Rohit Sharma – Captain
BATTERS
Virat Kohli
Shreyas Iyer
Shubman Gill
ALL ROUNDERS
Hardik Pandya
Axar Patel
Ravindra Jadeja
Washington Sundar
WICKET KEEPERS
KL Rahul
Rishabh Pant
FAST BOWLERS
Mohammad Shami
Arshdeep Singh
Harshit Rana
SPINNERS
Kuldeep Yadav
Varun Chakravarthy
The Indian team has a perfect balance of batters, all rounders and the bowling attack needed for the conditions in Dubai. Virat Kohli has found form at the right time and Shubman Gill is the best batter In the world. The All Rounders such as Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja are doing exceptionally well in the middle overs with the ball and in the middle with the bat. Mohammad Shami and Harshit Rana stepped up in the first 10 overs with the new ball.
New Zealand Squad for Champions Trophy 2025
Mitchell Santner – Captain
BATTERS
Will Young
Kane Williamson
ALL ROUNDERS
Michael Bracewell
Rachin Ravindra
Glenn Phillips
Mark Chapman
Daryl Mitchell
Nathan Smith
WICKET KEEPERS
Devon Conway
Tom Lathan
FAST BOWLERS
Matt Henry
Jacob Duffy
William ORourke
New Zealand is a well oiled machine. They have a balanced team. Their top order batters are great. Rachin Ravindra and Will Young have made Hundreds.
Their list of all rounders is one of the best in the tournament. Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Michael Bracewell are some of the best. They can bat in the middle order and they can also take wickets and give the captain more than 5 bowling options.
They do not have a specialized spinner like Kuldeep Yadav or Varun Chakravarthy for India. That can be their weakness.
India vs New Zealand Key Matchups
Rohit Sharma vs Matt Henry
Matt Henry has been a bowler that has troubled Rohit Sharma in the past. He took his wicket early in the 2019 World Cup semi final. Rohit Sharma will look to attack Matt Henry like he did the other bowlers that have given him trouble in the past.
Mohammad Shami vs Rachin Ravindra
The best fast bowler for India against the best batter currently in the New Zealand team. Mohammad Shami will look to take the wicket of Rachin Ravindra early. Rachin will have to play the new ball carefully and then he can score runs later in the innings.
Virat Kohli vs Mitchell Santner
Mitchell Santner is one of those spinners that the batters think they can score easy runs against. Virat Kohli will have to use his skills to get past the left arm spinner. Virat Kohli will look to not be too aggressive against him and lose his wicket.
New Zealand middle order against Indian spinners
This will be one of the defining battles of this match. India will play 3 proper spinners meaning 30 overs will be bowled by them. The New Zealand middle order will be the one to play the spinners. If the Indian spinners are able to not give too many runs and take wickets then the match would be over. However if the New Zealand batters are able to skillfully play the Indian spinners then it will be a high scoring match.
India vs New Zealand (Ind vs NZ) Strategies for victory
India
India will look to continue the same template that they have played ODI Cricket the last few years. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill will try to give another great start for India and Rohit will smash the bowlers to all parts. Virat Kohli and the middle order will have to carry forward the momentum and they will look to bat deep into the innings so that Hardik Pandya and the lower order can help India reach a big total. The spinners will be key as they will have to take Wickets and win the match on the Dubai pitch.
New Zealand
New Zealand have to play their best cricket to win this match. Their fast bowlers Matt Henry and William ORourke will have to take early wickets because that is the only way that India can be beaten. Their batting which includes Rachin Ravindra, Will Young, Glenn Phillips will have to play aggressive cricket and not play too many dot balls.
Fan Reactions leading into the India vs New Zealand Match
The Indian fans are happy with their team as they have played fantastic cricket so far. They want the Indian team to beat New Zealand so that they can be number 1 in the group. New Zealand fans are also happy with their team and they want New Zealand to win an ICC white ball tournament.
India vs New Zealand (Ind vs NZ) Match Prediction
This match is too close to call. Both the teams are the best in the group. India have the advantage of playing in Dubai and they have become accustomed to the pitch and the weather. New Zealand are a team in form and they will look to beat India. Just because India has played in Dubai and they are looking imperious that is the reason India are the slight favourites to win.
