In a second that shifted the momentum firmly in India’s favor, Axar Patel delivered an important breakthrough by dismissing New Zealand former captain Kane Williamson, successfully breaking the spine of their chase. The dismissal got here on the final ball of Axar’s spell, and it was a second of sheer anticipation and execution.
Axar Patel breaks New Zealand’s spine with the important thing wicket of Kane Williamson
Williamson, who had been anchoring the innings with a affected person 81 off 120 balls, was seeking to speed up when he determined to cost down the monitor to a tossed-up supply from Axar. Nonetheless, the left-arm spinner was one step forward, well touchdown the ball on a size and delivering an arm ball that skidded previous Williamson’s bat.
Because the New Zealand skipper missed the shot fully, KL Rahul collected the ball cleanly behind the stumps. Not like some earlier missed probabilities, this time, Rahul took his time earlier than whipping off the bails, guaranteeing Williamson had no means of recovering his floor. The New Zealand captain, with out even glancing again, accepted his destiny and walked again to the dugout, figuring out that his departure had left his group in serious trouble. Together with his 81-run knock laced with seven boundaries, Williamson had fought laborious to maintain New Zealand within the contest, however his dismissal at a crucial juncture left the Kiwis reeling at 169/7.
Axar Patel, who had been economical all through his spell, completed with spectacular figures of 1/32 in 10 overs and his lone wicket was value its weight in gold. Williamson’s wicket was not simply one other breakthrough; it fully derailed New Zealand’s chase, exposing their decrease order to India’s high-quality bowling assault. As Axar celebrated along with his teammates, it was evident that this dismissal had pushed India one step nearer to victory, leaving New Zealand with an uphill activity to recuperate from the blow.
Right here’s the video:
Kane Williamson is crushed all results in flight by Axar Patel for a easy stumping for KL Rahul. The Kiwis in serious trouble. #INDvNZ #ChampionsTrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/hc9xPn9wL8
— PTV Sports activities (@PTVSp0rts) March 2, 2025
Additionally WATCH: Kane Williamson’s stunning one-handed catch stuns India in the Champions Trophy 2025
India tightens grip as New Zealand struggles in Champions Trophy conflict
The India and New Zealand Group A match on the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has seen India take agency management as New Zealand struggles of their chase of 250 on the Dubai Worldwide Stadium. After being despatched in to bat first, India posted 249/9 in 50 overs, with Shreyas Iyer main the cost with a well-compiled 79 off 98 balls, supported by Axar’s gritty 42 and Hardik Pandya’s quickfire 45. Matt Henry was the standout bowler for New Zealand, selecting up 5 wickets for 42 runs, whereas Mitchell Santner and Kyle Jamieson offered essential assist with one wicket every.
Chasing 250, New Zealand discovered themselves in hassle early as Chakravarthy dismissed each Will Younger and Glenn Phillips, whereas Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav chipped in with essential breakthroughs. Captain Williamson tried to anchor the innings with a combating 81 off 120 balls, however his dismissal to Axar Patel within the forty first over left New Zealand struggling at 169/7. With solely Santner and the tailenders remaining, the required run fee has climbed steeply to 9.42 per over, making India heavy favorites to seal the match. With simply 42 balls remaining and 66 runs nonetheless wanted, New Zealand’s hopes are hanging by a thread.
