"India Can Beat Anyone": Sourav Ganguly Lauds Team India’s Dominance in Champions Trophy
Kolkata, March 3: Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly heaped praise on Team India after their comprehensive 44-run win over New Zealand in the final group-stage match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, asserting that India has the capability to defeat any team in white-ball cricket.
India finished the group stage unbeaten, securing three wins in three matches and setting up a highly anticipated semi-final clash against Australia on March 4 in Dubai.
“India won the last T20 World Cup (in 2024) and played in the final (of the 50-over World Cup 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,” Ganguly said.
Ganguly also acknowledged the impact of Mohammed Shami, who made a stellar return to the Champions Trophy after battling injuries. Shami’s five-wicket haul against Pakistan in the tournament opener was a standout moment.
“Injuries happen to anyone. It is a part of a fast bowler’s career. He has won so many matches for India with (Jasprit) Bumrah. He is such a fine bowler,” Ganguly added.
After New Zealand won the toss and opted to bowl, India suffered an early collapse, reduced to 30/3. However, a 98-run partnership between Shreyas Iyer (79) and Axar Patel (42) stabilized the innings.
Despite losing Iyer and KL Rahul (23 in 29 balls), a 41-run stand between Hardik Pandya (45) and Ravindra Jadeja (16) ensured India reached a fighting total of 249/9 in 50 overs.
New Zealand’s Matt Henry was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 5/42 in eight overs.
During the chase, New Zealand kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Kane Williamson fought hard with 81 off 120 balls, but Varun Chakravarthy’s mystery spin (5/42) dismantled the Kiwi middle order.
Kuldeep Yadav also played a key role, taking 2/56, while Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja chipped in with a wicket each.
India eventually bowled out New Zealand for 205, winning by 44 runs to top Group A.
With this victory, India now faces arch-rivals Australia in the semi-finals on March 4 in Dubai. The last time these two teams met in an ICC knockout game was the 2023 World Cup final, where Australia emerged victorious.
With India in top form and a well-rounded squad, they will be aiming to avenge their World Cup heartbreak and secure a spot in the Champions Trophy final.
India vs New Zealand, India vs Australia, ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Sourav Ganguly, Mohammed Shami, Rohit Sharma, Team India, Cricket News, Champions Trophy Semi-Final
Just over two months after the premiere of his directorial debut, the Netflix series The…
Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma (RGV) has once again stirred controversy by defending his descriptive comments…
Nine years after her terrifying 2016 Paris robbery, Kim Kardashian made a powerful statement of…
Bollywood icon Aishwarya Rai Bachchan captivated the audience at the Red Sea Film Festival 2025…
Amid concerns over air pollution stressing the body, the choice of dairy milk can play…
India's largest airline, IndiGo, is facing an unprecedented operational crisis, with over 1,000 flights cancelled…
