NEW DELHI: India posted a competitive total of 249/9, thanks to Shreyas Iyer's well-crafted half-century and Hardik Pandya's aggressive late innings performance on a challenging pitch in the ICC Champions Trophy final group stage match in Dubai on Sunday.
The Indian middle order demonstrated resilience after an early collapse to 30/3. India now faces the task of defending 250 runs to maintain their perfect record of three victories in three matches.
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Following New Zealand's decision to bowl first, India suffered an early loss when Matt Henry dismissed Shubman Gill lbw for two runs off seven deliveries, leaving India at 15/1 in 2.5 overs.
In his 300th ODI appearance, Virat Kohli's stay was brief. Earlier, Rohit Sharma's attempted pull shot off Kyle Jamieson resulted in his dismissal, caught by Will Young at square leg for 15 runs from 16 balls, including a four and six. India stood at 22/2 in 5.1 overs.
Despite showing promising touch, Virat's aggressive intent led to his downfall as Glenn Phillips took an outstanding catch at backward point off Henry's bowling. Virat departed for 11 runs from 14 balls, with two fours, leaving India at 30/3 in 6.4 overs.
Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel stabilised the innings with a crucial partnership. At the 10-over mark, India was positioned at 37/3, with Iyer (5*) and Axar (3*) at the crease.
Axar's swept boundary off Mitchell Santner took India to 50 runs in 15.1 overs. Subsequently, Iyer relieved pressure by hitting three fours against Will O'Rourke.
The pair constructed a measured 50-run partnership in 85 deliveries.
India reached 100 runs in 24.4 overs. At the halfway stage, the score was 104/3, with Iyer (44*) and Axar (26*) batting. Iyer achieved his fifty in 75 balls, including four boundaries.
Rachin Ravindra ended the crucial 98-run partnership when Williamson caught Axar at backward square leg for 42 from 61 balls, featuring three fours and a six. India was 128/4 in 29.2 overs.
Hardik displayed excellent form, striking boundaries against O'Rourke and Henry. However, their productive partnership ended at 41 runs when Henry dismissed Jadeja, who scored 16 from 20 deliveries, thanks to a brilliant catch by Williamson at backward point. India's score stood at 223/7 in 45.5 overs.
In the 49th over, Hardik accelerated the scoring, smashing Jamieson for consecutive fours and a six, accumulating 15 runs from that over.
Henry's well-executed slow bouncer brought an end to Hardik's innings at 45 runs from 45 deliveries, which included four boundaries and two sixes. India reached 246/8 in 49.3 overs.
The Indian innings concluded at 249/9, with Shami falling on the final delivery, while Henry secured a five-wicket haul.
Henry emerged as New Zealand's most successful bowler, claiming 5/45 in eight overs, while Santner, O'Rourke, Rachin and Jamieson each picked up one wicket.
