Matt Henry’s Record-Breaking Spell Hurts India in Champions Trophy 2025

Matt Henry Breaks Records as New Zealand Stuns India in Champions Trophy 2025

Henry’s Fiery Spell Creates History in Champions Trophy

Dubai, March 2, 2025: New Zealand pacer Matt Henry once again proved to be India’s nemesis in ICC tournaments, delivering a sensational five-wicket haul to dismantle India’s batting lineup in their final Group A match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. His stunning figures of 5 for 42 made him the first bowler in the tournament’s 27-year history to take a five-wicket haul against India, surpassing the previous record held by Shoaib Akhtar and Naveed-ul-Hasan, who had managed four-wicket hauls against India in past editions.

This outstanding performance ensured India was restricted to 249 in 50 overs on a sluggish Dubai pitch, setting up a crucial chase for New Zealand. With the winner of this match set to top Group A and face Australia in the semi-finals, Henry’s heroics have given the Black Caps a significant edge.

New Zealand’s Bowling Masterclass – Henry Leads the Charge

Matt Henry’s impact was felt right from the start as he dismissed India’s vice-captain, Shubman Gill, early in the innings, denying him the chance to provide a solid foundation. The pressure further mounted on India when Henry played a pivotal role in removing Virat Kohli, who was celebrating his 300th ODI appearance. A sharp catch by Glenn Phillips ensured that Kohli’s milestone match didn’t go as planned, leaving India reeling in the powerplay.

As the innings progressed, Henry returned in the death overs to remove Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja, preventing India from accelerating in the final stretch. His variations and clever use of the conditions ensured the Indian lower order couldn’t capitalize on the final overs, further cementing his status as one of the most lethal pacers in ICC tournaments.

Matt Henry’s Historic Spell – Best Bowling Figures Against India in Champions Trophy

• Matt Henry (NZ) – 5/42, Dubai 2025

• Naveed-ul-Hasan (PAK) – 4/25, Birmingham 2004

• Shoaib Akhtar (PAK) – 4/36, Birmingham 2004

• Douglas Hondo (ZIM) – 4/62, Colombo 2002

Beyond the Champions Trophy, Henry has now become the highest wicket-taker against India in ICC white-ball tournaments, overtaking Brian McKechnie’s tally. In just three matches against India, Henry has picked up nine wickets, further establishing his dominance over the Men in Blue on the big stage.

India’s Struggles Against New Zealand’s Pacers Continue

India’s batting lineup once again faltered against New Zealand’s disciplined pace attack. Kyle Jamieson added to India’s woes by dismissing captain Rohit Sharma cheaply, while Will O’Rourke’s well-directed short ball forced Shreyas Iyer to mistime his shot, cutting short what looked like a promising innings.

Despite the early blows, Iyer was India’s standout performer, anchoring the innings with a solid 79 off 98 balls. He played the spinners well and built a crucial partnership with Axar Patel, who contributed 42 off 61 deliveries. However, the middle-order resistance wasn’t enough as the Kiwis kept chipping away with key wickets at regular intervals.

Henry, Jamieson, and O’Rourke Deliver a Perfect Plan

New Zealand’s pace attack was spot on with their variations, using slower deliveries and cutters to exploit the sluggish conditions in Dubai. The strategy worked wonders as India lost seven wickets for just 112 runs in the middle overs, preventing any momentum shift in their favor.

Jamieson and O’Rourke supported Henry brilliantly, with the duo picking up a wicket each. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s spinners, Mitchell Santner and Rachin Ravindra, kept the pressure on, ensuring India could not recover despite some late hitting from Pandya and Jadeja.

India’s Final Stand – A Modest Total of 249

India’s innings saw moments of resistance, particularly from Shreyas Iyer, but it lacked the finishing punch. Hardik Pandya managed to add some valuable runs towards the end, scoring 45 off 45 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes. However, with wickets tumbling around him, he couldn’t push the score past the 250-run mark.

In the final few overs, Henry struck again, removing both Pandya and Jadeja, ensuring India finished at 249/9 in 50 overs. The total, while competitive, might not be enough against a well-drilled New Zealand side, given the conditions and their ability to chase under pressure.

What’s at Stake

The winner of this match will top Group A and earn a semi-final clash against Australia in Lahore. Given India’s struggles against New Zealand in past ICC tournaments, the Black Caps will feel confident about chasing down the target. On the other hand, India’s bowlers, led by Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah, will have to deliver a strong performance to give their team a fighting chance.

Final Thoughts

Matt Henry’s five-wicket haul has once again reinforced New Zealand’s reputation as a team that knows how to break India’s rhythm in ICC tournaments. His ability to strike at crucial moments and lead the bowling attack with precision has made him one of the standout performers in the Champions Trophy 2025.

With India restricted to a below-par total, the onus now lies on their bowlers to defend 249 against a formidable New Zealand batting lineup. As cricket fans eagerly await the second innings, all eyes will be on whether India can turn things around or if Henry’s masterclass will prove to be the defining factor in yet another ICC showdown between these two teams.