Despite India having qualified for the semi-final of the Champions Trophy 2025, former cricketer Ambati Rayudu has provided a warning ahead of their final group stage match against New Zealand.
Rayudu feels that Virat Kohli‘s return to form in the Champions Trophy has given a boost to the Indian line-up.
Rohit Sharma-led India have reached the semi-finals after comfortable wins against Bangladesh and arch-rivals Pakistan in Group A. Virat Kohli smashed a match-winning knock against Pakistan, completing his 51st ODI century.
Meanwhile, Shubman Gill has been firing in the top order and struck a century against Bangladesh before playing a knock of 46 against Pakistan. He has amassed 147 runs in the tournament so far.
“I think India’s key strength has been the overall balance of the side. Our top order batting has been brilliant and also with Virat coming into form gives the added impetus to the already strong batting line-up that we have,” said Rayudu.
“It will be really interesting to see them against New Zealand spinners, it will be a great test for them. Going forward, this New Zealand game will really set things up beautifully for India going into the semis,” Rayudu added.
India will play against New Zealand in their final group game on March 02 before gearing up for the semi-final.
Ambati Rayudu said the England team’s middle order failed to liveup to the occasion on the sub-continent conditions.
“No, I feel England’s batting against spin and also the middle order batting has not been great and we have seen that even in the series against India.”
“So their struggles were evident in the Champions Trophy as well. But the surprising thing was they did not even try and adapt to the conditions or try and stick to the basics,” he said.
“They were very, very adamant in terms of their style of play. And in the end, it’s proven to be not so great in the sub-continent conditions.” India will take on New Zealand on March 02 at Dubai International Stadium.
