Champions Trophy: Henry Claims Five Wickets as NZ Limits India to 249/9 Despite Iyer’s 79
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Synopsis
In the final Group A match of the 2025 Champions Trophy, fast bowler Matt Henry's remarkable 5-42 led New Zealand to restrict India to 249/9. Shreyas Iyer's 79 and Hardik Pandya's 45 were pivotal for India, but Henry's performance proved crucial in keeping India under 250 runs.
Key Takeaways
- Matt Henry's exceptional bowling performance with 5 wickets for 42 runs.
- Shreyas Iyer's crucial innings of 79 runs helped stabilize India's innings.
- New Zealand effectively utilized the pitch conditions to restrict India.
- India's top-order struggled, losing wickets early in their innings.
- The match showcased the importance of bowling strategy in ODIs.
Dubai, March 2 (NationPress) Fast bowler Matt Henry delivered an exceptional performance, taking 5-42 in his third five-wicket haul in the 50-over format, as New Zealand curtailed India to 249/9 in their allotted 50 overs during the concluding Group A match of the 2025 Champions Trophy at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.
Choosing to bowl first, New Zealand capitalized on the favorable conditions offered by the black soil pitch, effectively keeping India at bay. Shreyas Iyer salvaged India from an early batting collapse with a commendable 79, alongside Axar Patel, who contributed a respectable 42. Despite New Zealand excelling in the final overs, Hardik Pandya ensured a competitive score with a run-a-ball 45.
With conditions aiding the fast bowlers, Henry and Kyle Jamieson effectively challenged the Indian batsmen with their seam and swing bowling. Though Rohit Sharma struck Henry for a four and a six, the bowler made a comeback by trapping Shubman Gill lbw with an impressive inswing delivery for just 2.
Jamieson joined the attack when Rohit misplayed a pull shot and was caught at midwicket for 15. Virat Kohli started his innings with two fortunate boundaries in his milestone 300th ODI before he edged a delivery from Henry, leading to a spectacular catch by Glenn Phillips at backward point, leaving the batter stranded at 11, while India finished the first power-play at 37/3.
With the ball turning significantly for New Zealand’s spinners, India faced a challenging period, going 51 balls without a boundary until Axar swept Mitchell Santner in the 16th over. Following that, Iyer struck William O’Rourke for three fours, including two pulls and a drive over extra cover.
As Iyer continued his fine form, reaching his 22nd ODI fifty off 75 balls, Axar found success against Michael Bracewell's off-spin with two fours and a six over extra cover. The partnership of 98 was broken when Axar attempted to pull a delivery from Rachin Ravindra, resulting in a top edge caught at backward square leg, dismissing him for 42.
With KL Rahul starting his innings with a boundary off Ravindra, Iyer found his rhythm, hitting a six off both the spinner and O’Rourke. However, in the 37th over, a short ball resulted in Iyer’s dismissal, caught at short mid-wicket.
Three overs later, Rahul was out for 23, edging a delivery from Santner behind to Tom Latham. Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja initiated the slog overs, striking Bracewell for a six and a four, before Hardik hit another boundary off O’Rourke.
Hardik showcased his skill with a forehand-like shot for four off Henry, who later had Jadeja caught at backward point by Kane Williamson with a stunning one-handed catch. With New Zealand maintaining accurate lengths, they limited Hardik until he unleashed his power in the final over.
He struck Jamieson for back-to-back fours, followed by a pull over long-on for six, accumulating 15 runs in the penultimate over. However, Henry dismissed him and Mohammed Shami in the last over, securing his five-wicket haul and leaving India just one run short of 250.
Brief scores: India 249/9 in 50 overs (Shreyas Iyer 79, Hardik Pandya 45; Matt Henry 5-42) against New Zealand.
