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New Zealand bring "positive emotions" on their return to Lahore for the Champions Trophy semi-final against South Africa after good results during the Pakistan tri-series, coach Gary Stead said on Tuesday.
Legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble has hailed an exceptional Varun Chakaravarthy for picking 5-42 in India's 44-run win over New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy, saying the wrist-spinner has won matches for the teams he played for in last 1.5 years and that his recent performance is very encouraging for the Rohit Sharma led-side. At the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, Chakaravarthy returned figures of 5-42, the combined best bowling figures in the ongoing tournament, in just his second ODI game to bamboozle New Zealand and ensure India end as Group A toppers.
After suffering a 44-run defeat to India in the 2025 Champions Trophy, New Zealand seamer Matt Henry said the Rohit Sharma-led side played beautifully as per the conditions due to the knowledge they acquired from their previous Group A games at the Dubai International Stadium. On a slow pitch, India managed to make 249/9 in 50 overs, with Shreyas Iyer's 79 and a late 45 by Hardik Pandya taking them to the competitive total. In return, Varun Chakaravarthy picked 5-42 in just his second ODI game to bowl out New Zealand for 205 in 45.3 overs. New Zealand will take on Group B toppers South Africa in the second semi-final in Lahore on Wednesday.
Senior batter Tom Latham said New Zealand will take confidence from their recent win over South Africa in the tri-series when they face the same opponents in the semifinal of the Champions Trophy in Lahore on Wednesday. New Zealand lost to India by 44 runs in their final Group A match here on Sunday but Latham said it would have no bearing on the semifinal. Recently, New Zealand successfully chased 305 against South Africa in Lahore and then went on to win the tri-series, beating Pakistan in the final, and Latham feels those experiences will hold them in good stead on Wednesday.
Spin bowling all-rounder Axar Patel lavished praises on mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy for his maiden five-wicket haul in ODIs in India's 44-run over New Zealand in the last Champions Trophy Group A game in Dubai, saying it is really difficult to read the spinner's mind, and if a batter misses his googly, there is a high chance of losing a wicket. New Zealand's bowlers did well to restrict India's batting line-up, with Shreyas Iyer (79) and Hardik Pandya (45) leading the way as the Asian side posted a competitive total of 249/9 after they were sent in to bat first.
Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly hailed Team India following their win over New Zealand in the final group stage match of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy, saying that it has the capability to defeat anyone in white-ball cricket. India booked their semifinal clash with rivals Australia on March 4 following a 44-run win over NZ in their ICC Champions Trophy match, ending the group stage on a high with three wins in three matches. Speaking to ANI, Ganguly said, "India won the last T20 World Cup (in 2024) and played in the final (of 50-over in 2023). It is a very strong team in white-ball cricket, no matter who is on the opposite side. It has the capability to defeat anyone."
New Zealand will head into their Champions Trophy semi-final against South Africa with confidence intact despite suffering their first defeat of the tournament against India, paceman Matt Henry said.