ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India vs New Zealand preview and head-to-head records

Group A action came to a definitive pace early into the ICC Champions Trophy. With the defending champions, Pakistan and their arch-rivals, India in the mix, the group was deemed as the one to watch out for. However, it was a pretty straightforward course for the teams to draw the lines between their standings. Pakistan, the hosts, let their camoaign go awry right from the opening game against New Zealand. As the Kiwis claimed their third consecutive victory over Pakistan in a week, the Men in Green saw all their hopes resting on the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan fixture. However, with their disappointing form, India overcame them seamlessly. Bangladesh picked defeats against India and New Zealand, joining Pakistan as the first of the lot to be eliminated. Time has now arrived for the last group stage contest, the India vs New Zealand clash.

Road to the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final for India and New Zealand

Bangladesh and Pakistan proved too easy of hurdles to cross for both India and New Zealand at the ICC Champions Trophy. India started off the campaign with a six-wicket win over Bangladesh in Dubai, the venue for all of their fixtures. With th team firing from all the corners, even Pakistan didn't pose a threat to their commanding campaign. Virat Kohli, on the lookout for a chance to reclaim his form, found it against Pakistan. The batter scored a century to lead India to the victory in the chase as Pakistan was virtually ruled out. The confirmation arrived the next day after New Zealand beat Bangladesh in their penultimate group stage matches. 

The India vs New Zealand fixture, the last group stage match at the ICC Champions Trophy, has no significant stake relying at it. Both have entered the semi-final as they await to find out their opponents from Group B. However, the match would be the battle of equals with both India and New Zealand currently in a sublime form. The fixture's hype also lies in the thilling history that both the teams have against each other. In ODIs, it's even interesting, laden with the heavy memories from the 2019 ODI World Cup and most recently the 2023 World Cup.

India vs New Zealand ODI and ICC tournaments head-to-head records

Overall, India boasts an upper hand over the white ferns in the format. In ODIs, India and New Zealand have faced each other 118 times, with India winning 60 of them. New Zealand, meanwhile, have 50 victories to their name. Interestingly, their standings change when it comes to ICC tournaments. There would rarely be an Indian cricket fan who doesn't remember the heartbreaking loss in the 2019 ODI World Cup.

The run out by Martin Guptill to MS Dhoni is etched like a nightmare in the fans' minds. However, while Dhoni retired, Rohit Sharma and his men avenged the bitter defeat at the 2023 ODI World Cup. It was a perfect set up as the India vs New Zealand face-off arrived in semi-final itself. This time, India fell to the right side of the results, led by the scintillating 7-wicket spell of seamer Mohammed Shami.

In ICC ODI World Cup, India and New Zealand have faced other ten times. India have won 4 times while the Kiwis have emerged victorious 5 times. Interestingly, the rivals have faced each other only once at the ICC Champions Trophy before the 2025 edition, that also way back in 2000 where Kiwis defeated the Sourav Ganguly-led Indian team.

India vs New Zealand head-to-head in ICC ODI tournaments

Matches Played - 11

India Won - 4

New Zealand Won - 6

No Result - 1

India vs New Zealand at the ICC Champions Trophy group stage fixture

Coming to the 2025 edition, there is speculation around the participation of skipper Rohit Sharma in the game. The captain has apparently picked a hamstring injury while fielding in the India vs Pakistan game. Safely perched as the semi-finalist at the Champions Trophy, it is likely for Rohit to not risk his fitness before the semi-final game scheduled for 4 March. In his absence, Shubman Gill, as the vice-captain, is poised to take the captaincy position. Moreover, Rishabh Pant is the frontrunner to fill in the void in Playing XI. While there remains a doubt that who will open alongside Shubman Gill between Pant and KL Rahul.

New Zealand, meanwhile, would be elated by the return of Rachin Ravindra in the mix. After coping a blow to his forehead in the opening game of the ODI tri-series against Pakistan, Ravindra missed three fixtures, including the Pakistan vs New Zealand Champions Trophy opener. However, when he returned for the New Zealand vs Bangladesh, Ravindra cracked right into his form that scintillated at the 2023 World Cup. The batter, placed in the middle-order, Ravindra announced his return with a well-paced century as New Zealand sealed the semi-final spot. Moreover, the team has no injury concerns and is likely to play the same combination from their last game against India.