South Africa Choke Again, New Zealand Knock Proteas Out, Set Date With Rohit Sharma's India For Champions Trophy 2025 Final

Champions Trophy 2025: New Zealand have set up a mouthwatering final clash with India in Champions Trophy 2025. The Kiwis defeated the Proteas by 50 runs and will now face Rohit Sharma and Co. in Dubai on March 9. Both Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson smashed centuries as New Zealand posted a massive 362 runs in Lahore.

New Zealand To meet India In Champions Trophy Final

This is also New Zealand's 7th ICC final and they will seek to avenge their 2023 ODI World Cup semifinal defeat against the Men In Blue. Having already played in Dubai, they are relatively familiar with the conditions and will throw a tough challenge to their opponents in the summit clash. Batting first, New Zealand made merry on a surface which has traditionally helped the batters. Rachin racked up his 5th ODI hundred and all of them have been in ICC events. Alongside Rachin and Williamson, Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips also helped their team with quickfire 49 runs each.

Aslo Read: Rohit Sharma Becomes First Ever Captain In History Of Cricket To Achieve Special Milestone As IND Knock AUS Out OF CT 2025

David Miller Scored A Brilliant Century In Losing Cause

The Proteas have a very underwhelming record in ICC major events, having lost 9 out of 11 semifinals they competed in so far. They made a good start and looked on course towards a historic run chase. But both Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen were dismissed in quick succession and the rest of the batters followed him very quickly except for David Miller. Miller struck a 67 ball 100 and had he got more support he could have helped the Proteas to cross the final hurdle.

Also Read: Champions Trophy 2025: Rachin Ravindra Continues To Shatter Records, Emulates Sourav Ganguly With Rare Feat

The Men In Blue will be aware of Rachin Ravindra's threat and will want to keep him quiet as early as possible. As quoted by ESPN Cricinfo he said, "Great feeling to contribute to an emphatic win in a semi-final. I didn't start as well as I wanted, SA bowled well, but once we got going it was nice build partnerships with Kane and Young. It was nice to go with the ebbs and flows of one-day cricket. We were thinking around 300 as cutters were holding, and SA were getting bounce, but then the game started accelerating nicely, and Glenn and Mitchell finished great. Thing with tournament cricket is what's next and then what. Important to soak in the win today, celebrate the team together and get around each other. Once we get to Dubai we'll switch back on."

This also happens to be New Zealand's 4th  final in the ODI format.