ICC Champions Trophy 2025 | Match 12: India vs New Zealand | Preview and Predictions

Can India keep it clean in the Group Stages?

With the semi-finalists confirmed from both the Group at the Champions Trophy 2025, India will face New Zealand in the final group stage game with both teams looking to finish as the #1 team in Group A. 

It’s far from being just another dead rubber game with the match set to decide which team India and New Zealand will face in the final four and ahead of the 12th match of the Champions Trophy 2025 between India and New Zealand, here’s our match preview and predictions.

ICC Champions Trophy 2025 | Match 12: India vs New Zealand | 14:30 IST, March 2nd

The Indian team have been near flawless in both their games with the Men in Blue almost ticking off all the boxes. With Jasprit Bumrah out injured, the bowling department would have had all eyes on them but Mohammed Shami returned in style to one-day cricket after a lengthy lay-off, picking up a five-wicket haul on return while the newcomer, Harshit Rana has also impressed with the new ball up front and been smart with the old ball in the death. Kuldeep Yadav, another injury-returnee has been impressive amongst the spinners with India’s spin trio, consisting of Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel have not only kept the opposition batsmen in check but also regularly chipped in with crucial breakthroughs.

With the bat, India’s vice-captain Shubman Gill has been the batter of the tournament, adapting perfectly to the conditions to score a sublime century against Bangladesh and an impressive 46 which laid the foundation for Virat Kohli to finish the game against Pakistan. Captain Rohit Sharma has been back to his explosive-self, giving the team quick starts while Virat Kohli continues to show the world why he’s one of the all-time great white-ball players, following a quintessential century in a chase from the former Indian captain. India’s middle order mainstays, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul have also gotten important runs and time under their belt with there being little to criticise in their batting performances.

The Kiwis on the other hand, who have been a nemesis for the Indian team in ICC events, have also had a strong Champions Trophy campaign to kick things off. Will Young, Tom Latham and Glenn Phillips powered the Kiwis to a massive 320 in the opening game with captain Mitchell Santner, Will O’Rourke and Matt Henry closing out a convincing win for the Kiwis. Against Bangladesh, it was Michael Bracewell, Will O’Rourke strangling the Bangladeshi batters before the talented Rachin Ravindra and Tom Latham took the Kiwis home. Amongst the concerns, one major issue would be the lack of runs from Kane Williamson but New Zealand know that there would be no better time or place for their former captain to get back into form, right ahead of the Playoffs.

The Dubai ground has been one which wouldn’t bring about a ton of runs with 260-270 set to be a fighting score while the spinners should be in for a strong game. What works in India’s favour is the fact that they’ve played both their games at Dubai while New Zealand have played in much flatter conditions in Pakistan and it will be the Men in Blue starting as the favourites.

Fantasy XI: Shubman Gill, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Glenn Phillips, Ravindra Jadeja, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Kuldeep Yadav, Matt Henry

Venue: Dubai, United Arab Emirate 

Winners Prediction: India