New Zealand beat South Africa by 50 runs in the second semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Batting first in Lahore, New Zealand posted 362/6. Kane Williamson (102) and Rachin Ravindra (108) led the charge with centuries. South Africa started well while chasing 363, but they lost wickets in the middle overs. David Miller scored a century off the last ball, but it was not enough. Kagiso Rabada’s dismissal sealed South Africa’s fate. New Zealand will face India in the final on March 9 in Dubai.

India secured a spot in the Champions Trophy final, defeating Australia by 4 wickets while chasing 265 in Dubai. KL Rahul, who finished unbeaten on 42 off 34 balls, had an intense post-match chat with Travis Head. The moment went viral, with fans recalling Rahul’s struggles in the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia. This time, the roles were reversed—Head departed for 39, and Rahul played a crucial role in India's victory. Former cricketers lauded Rahul’s redemption, with Aakash Chopra remarking, “Ab koi nahi bolega.” India awaits the winner of South Africa vs New Zealand.

Australia captain Steve Smith dismissed claims that India had an advantage in the Champions Trophy by playing all matches in Dubai. After losing to India in the semi-final, Smith admitted his team was outplayed. He said India deserved the win as they played better cricket. Australia, after winning the toss, aimed for 300 runs but fell short at 264. Smith believed they needed stronger partnerships. Dropped catches also hurt Australia, allowing India to chase the target comfortably. Smith accepted the loss, saying mistakes happen in cricket, and India was the better team on the day.

Former Indian pacer S Sreesanth confidently predicts India's triumph in the 2025 Champions Trophy final, irrespective of their opponent. He lauds the team's positive energy and stellar performances, particularly highlighting Virat Kohli's masterful chase and Shreyas Iyer's significant contributions. Sreesanth emphasizes the importance of humility, recalling advice from former captains MS Dhoni and Sourav Ganguly to "trust the process." He also praises Mohammed Shami's resilience and impact since returning from injury, noting his leadership in the bowling attack during Jasprit Bumrah's absence. Sreesanth believes India's robust talent pipeline and strong foundation, credited to the BCCI and Jay Shah, position them to dominate world cricket for years to come.

Kane Williamson played a brilliant knock in the Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final against South Africa, scoring a century off 91 balls. His 164-run partnership with Rachin Ravindra, who made 108, led New Zealand to a commanding position. This century marked Williamson’s 48th in international cricket, equaling the tally of legends Rahul Dravid and Steve Smith. It was his 15th ODI century and his third consecutive century against South Africa. The partnership and his performance were crucial in pushing New Zealand ahead in the race for the final.

In the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final on March 5, 2025, at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium, New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra showcased exceptional form by scoring a century against South Africa. The young left-hander reached his fifth ODI hundred off 93 balls, hitting 12 fours and one six. This performance underscores Ravindra's consistent excellence in ICC tournaments. His partnership with captain Kane Williamson, who also secured a half-century, laid a solid foundation for New Zealand. Despite South African bowler Lungi Ngidi's efforts to challenge the batsmen, New Zealand's score continued to climb, reflecting their batting strength in this high-stakes match. 

Indian captain Rohit Sharma made history by becoming the first skipper to lead his team to the finals of all ICC tournaments after India defeated Australia in the Champions Trophy semi-final on March 4, 2025. Under his leadership, India reached the 2023 WTC and ODI World Cup finals, won the 2024 T20 World Cup, and now aims for the Champions Trophy title on March 9. This marks India’s fifth Champions Trophy final, the most by any team. Rohit has led with consistency, scoring 104 runs in the tournament. A win would place him alongside MS Dhoni in history.  

India advanced to the Champions Trophy final after a four-wicket victory over Australia in Dubai. Australia, batting first, posted 264 runs, highlighted by Steve Smith's 73 and Alex Carey's 61. India's chase was anchored by Virat Kohli's composed 84, with crucial support from Shreyas Iyer (45) and KL Rahul (unbeaten 42). Despite Kohli's dismissal in the 43rd over, India reached 267/6 in 48.1 overs, securing their spot in the final. This win also served as redemption for India's 2023 World Cup final loss to Australia. Notably, Steve Smith announced his retirement from One-Day Internationals following the match, concluding a distinguished ODI career.

Australia's Champions Trophy campaign ended with a four-wicket semi-final loss to India in Dubai. Captain Steve Smith dismissed claims that India's exclusive play in Dubai provided an unfair advantage, acknowledging that the pitch favored India's spinners but crediting their overall performance. Smith top-scored with 73 runs, contributing to Australia's total of 264. However, India's chase, led by Virat Kohli's 84, was successful. Smith noted Australia's missed chances in the field and the impact of their inexperienced bowling attack, which struggled in the absence of key players like Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood. Despite the loss, Smith highlighted the valuable experience gained by the emerging players, expressing optimism for the team's future.

In a thrilling semifinal at Dubai International Stadium, India defeated Australia by four wickets to secure their spot in the 2025 Champions Trophy final. Chasing a target of 265, India showcased resilience, with Virat Kohli's masterful 84 runs guiding the team. The victory sparked jubilant celebrations among thousands of Indian fans, who filled the stadium with renditions of "Vande Mataram," creating a euphoric atmosphere. The team's unbeaten run in the tournament sets high expectations for the final on March 9, where they aim to clinch their first 50-over title since 2013.