India faced off against New Zealand in their final Group A clash of the Champions Trophy 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 1. With both teams already securing semifinal spots, the match was crucial in determining the group topper. New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner won the toss and opted to field first, putting India under early pressure.
However, a solid knock from Shreyas Iyer (79), along with valuable contributions from Hardik Pandya (45) and Axar Patel (42), helped India post a competitive 249/9 in 50 overs. While much was expected from Virat Kohli, who was playing his 300th ODI, the star batter could only manage 11 runs off 14 balls before falling to a stunning catch.
Despite his low score, Virat Kohli remained animated on the field, making his presence felt with his lively antics. A clip of him hilariously mimicking Shreyas Iyer’s misfield during New Zealand’s chase has gone viral, once again showcasing his infectious energy.
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During the Black Caps’ innings, Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell were at the crease when Iyer, who had earlier anchored India’s innings with 79 off 98 balls, made a fielding error. Kohli wasted no time in playfully mimicking Iyer’s misfield, drawing laughter from teammates and fans alike.
Kohli doing mimicry of Shreyas Iyer miss feild. 🤣😭 pic.twitter.com/gW2g7pCFvg
— Vahini🕊️ (@fairytaledust_) March 2, 2025
Iyer’s fifty was his second in the tournament, following his crucial 56-run knock against Pakistan in India’s successful chase of 242. As the match intensified, India’s bowlers looked to defend their total against a strong Kiwi batting lineup.
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India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy
New Zealand (Playing XI): Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham(w), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner(c), Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, William ORourke
