The Indian cricket team has cruised to the semi-final of the 2025 Champions Trophy with three wins in as many matches in the group stage. The way the Indian team dominated Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand shows the strength of the team. With India to face Australia in the semi-final of the 2025 Champions Trophy, let us have a look at how the Indian team played in the group stage against each opposition.
Group Stage Performance of Team India
India played three matches in the group stage, winning all of them convincingly.
India vs. Bangladesh – India Won By 6 Wickets
India started the 2025 Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh on 20th February, where the team secured a 6-wicket win. Having won the toss, Bangladesh decided to bat first. The decision backfired, as Bangladesh lost five wickets inside the powerplay. Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali stitched together a 154-run partnership to boost Bangladesh to 228. Mohammed Shami, with five wickets, was the star with the ball for India.
Hard work, faith, and love for the game. 🇮🇳🩵 pic.twitter.com/M2Jv49J6Qa
— Shubman Gill (@ShubmanGill) February 20, 2025
In what was a moderate target, Rohit Sharma began in an aggressive manner. While India lost a few wickets in the middle overs, it was Shubman Gill who scored an unbeaten century to take India over the line. He was also adjudged the player of the match for his calm and match-winning century.
India vs. Pakistan – India Won By 6 Wickets
India faced arch-rivals Pakistan on 23rd February in Dubai. Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first, where the team could just manage to put 241 runs on the board. Saud Shakeel and Rizwan showed some fight with a 104-run partnership, but the batters that followed could not take the innings forward.
Couldn't be more clinical than that . Superb team effort to make this into a one sided affair. Virat at his best , made this win even more enjoyable. #INDvsPAK #ChampionsTrophy2025
— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7) February 23, 2025
With a target of just 242, the Indian team began on a positive note by taking on Shaheen Afridi. After Shubman Gill was dismissed for 46, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer scored 114 runs together to take India on the brink of victory. Virat Kohli ensured that he took India over the line, scoring an unbeaten century. He was also named the player of the match for a match-winning century in India’s 6-wicket win.
India vs. New Zealand – India Won By 44 Runs
On a tricky track, New Zealand won the toss and decided to bowl first when the two teams met on 2nd March in Dubai. The Indian team was in trouble after losing the top three batters with just 30 runs on the board. Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel batted with maturity, putting together 98 runs. Thanks to the power-hitting from Hardik Pandya during the end overs, India posted 249 runs on the board.
"Great feeling"
— Varun Chakaravarthy🇮🇳 (@chakaravarthy29) March 3, 2025
On to the next one!!!🇮🇳🇮🇳#championstrophy2025 #indvsnz #odi#IndianCricketTeam pic.twitter.com/0qNCkk1Yqm
New Zealand never got going in the chase, as the team kept losing wickets regularly. Kane Williamson showed some fight with a gritty 81-run knock but ended up on a losing side, as India wrapped the match by 44 runs. Varun Chakravarthy was the star of the show who picked up five wickets for just 42 runs.
Top Performers for India in the Group Stage
The following players made a big impact for team India with their solid performances in the group stage:
- Shreyas Iyer – 150 Runs
- Shubman Gill – 149 Runs
- Varun Chakravarthy – 5 Wickets
- Kuldeep Yadav – 5 Wickets
- Mohammed Shami – 5 Wickets
Concluding Thoughts
The Indian team looks a well-balanced side after the group stage. With three wins in three matches, the Indian team is a strong contender to win the 2025 Champions Trophy. Indian cricket fans will hope that their team edges past Australia in the semi-final and whichever team among South Africa and New Zealand makes it to the final.