The confirmation has arrived. Team India has now officially qualified for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. While it became almost 99% after the Rohit Sharma-led unit beat arch nemesis Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday, New Zealand’s win over Bangladesh has simplified the entire scenario. A sensational century by Rachin Ravindra has not only pushed New Zealand and India to the semis but have also knocked out Pakistan, who hoped for a Bangladesh win in Rawalpindi tonight (Feb 24).
India to play Champions Trophy semi-final on March 4
Unlike all the other seven teams, India’s fixtures will be hosted at one venue: Dubai. This is because the Indian government didn’t grant permission to the team to travel to Pakistan due to geopolitical reasons. Regardless of wherever India finish on the Group A points table, they will play their semi-final in Dubai. As for now, India are in second place on the points table with a “Q” next to them. Notably, India’s semi-final would be SF1 on March 4, Tuesday. The second semi-final will be played in Lahore on March 5. Most possibly, the team facing India at the first semi-final could be Australia or South Africa.
Gautam Gambhir the happiest?
While the qualification would surely send a euphoria within the nation, it would ease the nerves of Gautam Gambhir. After all, the new Indian head coach was under pressure prior to the tournament. In fact, the ICC Champions Trophy was touted to be as a decisive test for him after a horrendous Test season. India lost the first-ever Test series at home after 12 years before losing the Border Gavaskar Trophy crown after 2015.
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Team to qualify for ICC Champions Trophy semi-finals so far
- India (Group A)
- New Zealand (Group A)
ICC Champions Trophy Points Table (Group A)
| Position | Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Points | NRR | Next Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Zealand (Q) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0.863 | vs IND |
| 2 | India (Q) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0.647 | vs NZ |
| 3 | Bangladesh (E) | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -0.443 | vs PAK |
| 4 | Pakistan (E) | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -1.087 | vs BAN |
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