India officially booked their place in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semifinals on Monday, thanks to New Zealand’s five-wicket victory over Bangladesh in Rawalpindi. With that result, both India and New Zealand have punched their tickets to the knockout stage from Group A.
However, there’s still a bit of business left to settle – when the two sides clash on March 2 in Dubai, the top spot in the group will be on the line. The winner of that showdown will earn the right to face the runner-up from Group B in the semifinals. That said, regardless of how that match unfolds, India is already locked in to play the first semifinal in Dubai on March 4, while New Zealand will head to Lahore for the second semifinal on March 5.
Team India And New Zealand Have Qualified For Champions Trophy 2025. #ChampionsTrophy #ChampionsTrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/9DSenKbypc
— ScoreWaves (@ScoreWaves) February 24, 2025
For the Men in Blue, this marks their sixth trip to the Champions Trophy semifinals, having previously reached this stage in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2013, and 2017. Meanwhile, for the Black Caps, it’s their fourth semifinal appearance, ending a long wait since their last entry in 2009. As for the rest of Group A, it’s heartbreak for Pakistan and Bangladesh. Both teams are winless after two matches, and their final group-stage clash on February 27 in Rawalpindi is now nothing more than a battle for pride.
With their job done in Rawalpindi, New Zealand won’t waste any time shifting focus to their next challenge. Captain Mitchell Santner confirmed that his side will depart for Dubai on Tuesday morning as they gear up for the high-stakes encounter against India.
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