“New Zealand can beat us”—Aakash Chopra on India’s chances in their final ICC Champions Trophy 2025 group match

Although he wasn't certain they could, former India player Aakash Chopra believes New Zealand can defeat the Men in Blue in their 2025 Champions Trophy match. The Kiwis have a respectable bowling assault, he noted, and one bowler who has consistently performed well against India is Kyle Jamieson.

On Sunday, March 2, India will play New Zealand in their last 2025 Champions Trophy Group A match in Dubai. The outcome of the match will determine the group winner, given that both teams have already secured their spots in the semi-finals.

The former India opener was questioned about whether the Men in Blue should alter their starting lineup and whether New Zealand can defeat Rohit Sharma and company in their last group match.

"They can beat us, but I don't know whether they will be able to beat us or not. I feel they will play not once but twice. India-New Zealand will be playing twice in this Champions Trophy, once now and once in the final. The team (New Zealand) is balanced, and they have three good spinners.

Their fast bowling is relatively inexperienced. However, William O'Rourke and Matt Henry have height. They have also got Jamieson now, and I don't know what happens to Jamieson, as he always does well against India. They have three spinners in Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, and Michael Bracewell," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

In two ODIs against India, Kyle Jamieson has taken three wickets at an economy rate of 4.75. With 22 wickets at an average of 17.72 in five games, he has had greater success in Test cricket.

“Not like we’ll collapse against New Zealand.” - Aakash Chopra on India’s recent record vs. New Zealand in ODIs

Aakash Chopra stated in the same video that India has defeated New Zealand in their last two One-Day Internationals (ODIs) before their 2025 Champions Trophy matchup. The former cricket player turned broadcaster went on to say that the match on Sunday should be fiercely contested.

"Everyone plays spin well in their batting. It's a phenomenal team. They can trouble us, but I will not say that they will come and beat us because we beat them in Dharamsala and the semi-final in the 2023 World Cup. So it's not that we collapsed against New Zealand.

"The team is good. They will challenge and push us. However, will we lose? I don't think we are going to lose that easily because we are also coming with momentum. If they are coming after playing well, we are also coming after playing well. I saw a very good contest that day," Chopra observed.

In addition, Aakash Chopra believed that India shouldn't alter their starting lineup too much for their Champions Trophy matchup with New Zealand in 2025. He reasoned that no one needed a break and that every player would want to maintain their shape.

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