When Indian skipper Rohit Sharma stated that his team would consist of 4 specialist spinners, it was predictable the pitch at Dubai for the final league game that was to decide the table leaders between India and New Zealand was just what the Doctor ordered for India.
Mitchell Santner won the toss and invited the Indians to bat first with the power play overs spelling disaster for favourites India with kingpins Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kholi back in the hutch reducing the mighty Indians to 30 runs for 3 wickets.
Gill Lbw for 2 off Matt Henry, Rohit Sharma caught brilliantly by Will Young at mid-wicket off Kyle Jammison and India’s indispensable Virat Kholi caught by Glenn Philips, the catch of the tournament so far for 11 runs off a fifth stump delivery by Matt Henry.
In the gloom, Sheyes Ayer, batting at slot 4 and Axer Patel at 5, stitched a vital 98-run partnership for the 4th wicket before South Paw Axer Patel was caught brilliantly by Kane Williamson for 42 to the gentle left arm part time orthodox spin of Rachin Ravindra.
India was still in the woods on 128 for 4 wickets. However, Sheyas Ayer was to reign in taking charge of the situation to batting India out of troubled waters by exquisite stroke play by incidentally enjoying the black caps bowling, making a priceless 79 runs before William ‘ O Rourke had him caught by Will Young as India lost wicket number 5 for 172 runs.
But then, K.L Rahul’s departure for 23 and Ravindra Jadeja for 16 dented India’s chances of reaching even 250 at one stage.
But again, it was not over for India. Enter Hardick Pandya, a man for crisis who thumped 45 off 45 deliveries to help India reach 249 for 9 wickets, which looked a par score.
New Zealand’s bowling hero was Matt Henry who scalped 5 for 42 while Mitch Santner 1 for 41, Kyle Jammison 1 for 31 and Rachin Ravindra 1 for 31 bowled with great discipline. New Zealand and their ground fielding and catching skill levels was at a different level in a world-class display that would have stunned the millions of viewers on TV and the spectators at the venue. Particularly, their inner circle skills were simply outstanding.
Sadly, New Zealand succumbed to the superiority of the Indian spin cordon of Varun Chakrawathi, Kuldeep Yadev, Axer Patel and Ravindra Jadeja
The only batter who came to terms with the Indian spin threat was Kane Williamson, who made a brilliant 81. None of the other Kiwi batters could come to terms with the wrist and finger spin in which the Indians reveled in.
Will Young made22 , Tom Latham 14, Darryl Mitchell 17, Glenn Philips 12 with skipper Mitchell Santner a late cameo 28.
Varun Chackrawathy was unplayable with his 5 for 42, Kuldeep Yadev 2 for 56, Jadeja 1 for 36 while Axer Patel made a vital strike for India claiming the prize wicket of Williamson with the last ball of his 10 overs when he had the master Kiwi batsman stumped for 81 opening the doors for an Indian win.
India won by 44 runs and will contest against Australia in a semi-final clash in their home made turf in Dubai in a Champions Trophy gallop topping Group A.
New Zealand, placed second in Group A, will travel back to Pakistan for their semi-final fixture against South Africa.
Australia will travel to UAE to play against India. Amazing travel times for both neighbours from the South West Pacific.
India plays Australia tomorrow , the first semi-final in Dubai.