India, March 3 -- India completed an unbeaten run to the 2025 Champions Trophy semifinal, finishing top of Group A with a win against New Zealand on Sunday in Dubai. The spinners orchestrated the victory, taking nine of the 10 wickets as India folded the Black Caps to 205 in their chase of 250. Five of those wickets were taken by Varun Chakaravarthy, who picked up his maiden five-wicket haul, yet it was the dismissal of Kane Williamson by Axar Patel that truly changed the momentum in favour of India.

The former New Zealand captain looked well set to single-handedly take his team past the finish line with a century. Batting at 81, he was New Zealand's last recognised batter alive in the contest. But a magical delivery from Axar crushed hi...