In a major setback for New Zealand, former captain Kane Williamson will not take the field in the second innings of the Champions Trophy 2025 final against India. According to reports from Cricbuzz, Williamson sustained a side strain injury while batting, preventing him from participating further in the game.
This injury added to his disappointing outing with the bat, as he managed to score only 11 runs off 14 balls before being dismissed in an unfortunate caught-and-bowled scenario by India’s Kuldeep Yadav. New Zealand Cricket confirmed that Mark Chapman would replace Williamson as a fielder for the remainder of the match.
Indian Spinners Dominate Despite New Zealand’s Recovery
New Zealand, after electing to bat first, put up a fighting total of 251/7, thanks to crucial half-centuries by Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell. However, India’s spinners made their presence felt, with Kuldeep Yadav (2/40) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/45) exploiting the conditions effectively. The Kiwis had a promising start, reaching 69/1 in the first 10 overs, but Chakravarthy’s early impact dismissed Will Young in the sixth over.
The game took a decisive turn in the 11th over when Kuldeep struck immediately, removing Rachin Ravindra with a deceptive googly that crashed into the stumps. This ended a solid 57-run opening partnership, during which Ravindra had previously capitalized on Hardik Pandya’s bowling, smashing a six and two consecutive fours.
Williamson’s Early Dismissal Adds to New Zealand’s Woes
New Zealand’s innings took another hit in the 12th over when Williamson fell victim to Kuldeep Yadav’s sharp bowling. Attempting a forward defensive stroke, Williamson edged the ball back to the bowler, resulting in a simple return catch. His dismissal at 75/3 put the Blackcaps in a difficult position early on.
Despite the setbacks, Daryl Mitchell (63 off 101 balls) and Michael Bracewell (53 off 40 balls) played crucial knocks to guide New Zealand past the 250-run mark. Their well-timed innings ensured that the team had a competitive total to defend, but with their key player unable to field, the pressure shifted to their bowling unit to contain India’s strong batting lineup in the second innings.
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