In final group stage math of Champions Trophy 2025 India and New Zealand are all set to continue their rivalry. Both teams have won their first two matches and had already qualified for Semi-Final but both team will be looking to keep the momentum high. If you think that India Vs New Zealand game on Sunday is dead rubber then you’re mistaken. India will play their Semi-final in Dubai as they are playing all of their matches in Dubai and New Zealand will move to Lahore for their Semi-Final match.
The Indian legend said it was all about finishing at the top and keep the winning feeling going into the business end of the tournament. “I actually don’t think it’s an inconsequential game in terms of, you know, points maybe, but how do you say it’s inconsequential? Because whoever gets to win the game becomes No.1, and they get to play the No.2 of the other group. So I don’t think it’s inconsequential. Also, as far as the rhythm is concerned, you want to keep the winning rhythm going, the winning momentum going, the winning feeling going. Because anytime you lose, suddenly, just like any batter, you play and miss, you tend to have that little doubt in your mind before the next ball comes along. So you don’t want anything like that to happen. So India has to keep on winning to be able to get that feeling, and also send a message to the opposition that look, we are there. Try and beat us to win the championship,” said Gavaskar.
Both India and New Zealand’s performances are similar to each other. This will be the first time in Champions Trophy history that India and New Zealand will face each other. Earlier they faced off each other in the final in 2000 when this tournament was known as ICC Knockouts. The 2000 final they defeated India and then went on to knock India out of the 2019 World Cup in the semi-final.