CT 2025 Semi-Final Line-Up Confirmed: Full Schedule, Match Timings, Venues

The Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final line-up is out! It's India vs Australia in the first Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final in Dubai on Tuesday while New Zealand will face South Africa in the second semi-final in Lahore on Wednesday.  Varun Chakravarthy led India's charge with a superb 5-42, the best figures by a bowler in the ongoing tournament, as India beat New Zealand by 44 runs in the final Group A match at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. The win means India finish as Group A toppers and will now face Australia in the first semi-final in Dubai on Tuesday, in what is a re-match of the 2023 ODI World Cup final. New Zealand, meanwhile, will take on South Africa in the second semi-final at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday.

Both matches will start at 2:30 PM IST, while the toss will be at 2 PM.

Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final line-up

India vs Australia, 1st semi-final, March 3, 2:30 PM IST 

New Zealand vs South Africa, 2nd semi-final, March 4, 2:30 PM IST 

After Shreyas Iyer's 79 helped India reach 249/9 in 50 overs, Chakaravarthy deceived the Blackcaps batters with his pace and variations to finish with 5-42 in his ten overs on Champions Trophy debut and bowl them out for 205 in 45.3 overs.

For New Zealand, Kane Williamson waged a lone battle through his 81 off 120 balls on a tricky pitch, where he relied on nudges, glances and inside-out shots for boundaries. But with the Indian spin quartet applying the squeeze in middle overs, it meant that the Rohit Sharma & Co continued their unbeaten run in the tournament.

India could have got their first wicket in the fourth over if Will Young's catch wasn't dropped by Chakaravarthy at mid-on off Hardik Pandya's bowling, with the fielder kicking the ball off the boot for four. But four balls later, Pandya provided the early breakthrough as Rachin Ravindra upper-cut to deep third, where Axar Patel took a low diving catch.

Though Young and Williamson hit some tight boundaries, India didn't let them go off the hook as New Zealand made 44/1 in the first power-play. Varun Chakaravarthy, who found enough turn in his first over, got him on the wickets board by having Young inside-edge a googly onto his stumps.

With India's spinners getting lots of turn, Williamson, given a life on 32 by Chakaravarthy, and Mitchell were content in playing the waiting game while hitting boundaries occasionally in their 44-run stand for the third wicket. But Kuldeep Yadav broke the partnership as he got a googly to spin past the inside edge and trap Mitchell lbw for 17.

Williamson hanged around to get his fifty off 77 balls by tickling Jadeja through fine leg for four, and keep New Zealand alive in the chase by hitting an inside-out drive against the spinner for another boundary. But Jadeja bounced back by trapping a reverse-sweeping Tom Latham lbw for 14.

Jadeja could have got Williamson out on 68 if KL Rahul had grabbed the chance. But Chakaravarthy struck twice in his two overs to trap Glenn Phillips and Michael Bracewell lbw, though replays showed the latter would have been not out as the ball missed the stumps.

The game's result became a foregone conclusion when Williamson danced down the pitch to hit Axar over mid-on, but missed the delivery and was stumped easily by Rahul for a gritty 81 off 120 balls. Mitchell Santner hit some late boundaries in making 28 off 31 balls, till his off-stump was uprooted by Chakaravarthy, who picked a five-wicket haul and effectively sealed the deal in India's favour.

Brief Scores: India 249/9 in 50 overs (Shreyas Iyer 79, Hardik Pandya 45; Matt Henry 5-42) beat New Zealand 205/10 in 45.3 overs (Kane Williamson 81, Mitchell Santner 28; Varun Chakaravarthy 5-42, Kuldeep Yadav 2-56) by 44 runs

With IANS inputs 

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/OajvHRi

Read More

Chakravarthy Was 'Nervous' vs NZ In CT 2025, Then Rohit And Kohli Did This

The X-factor around mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy's bowling influenced his selection for India's last Champions Trophy group game in Dubai against New Zealand, skipper Rohit Sharma said on Sunday after the move proved to be a masterstroke. Chakravarthy justified his selection in the XI with excellent figures of 5/42 in 10 overs, as India registered a convincing 44-run victory to top Group A on way to the semifinals alongside the Kiwis in second place. "He has got something different about him, so wanted to try and see what he had to offer. We got to think a little about what to do for the next game, it's a good headache. If he gets it right, it's very difficult to read him," Rohit said of Chakravarthy at the presentation ceremony.

India will play Australia in the first semifinal on Tuesday with New Zealand taking on South Africa the following day in Lahore.

"It will be a good game, Australia has a rich history of playing well in ICC tournaments, but is is about us and what we want to do on that particular day. It will be a great contest, looking forward to that. Hopefully we can stitch one towards us."

Rohit said it was important to maintain the winning momentum in a short tournament like the Champions Trophy.

"Critical to possibly win every game and doing everything right in a short tournament. Important to correct mistakes quickly, and that's where we know if your team is going up or going down.

"Important to finish on a high. We played a perfect game. It was important at that stage (after being 30/3) to build a partnership, and I thought we got to a good total." Player of the Match Chakravarthy said he came to know on Saturday night that he would be playing this match.

"I did feel nervous in the initial stages. I have not played many matches for India in the ODI format but as the game went on I felt better. Virat, Rohit, Shreyas and Hardik were talking to me and that helped," Chakravarthy said.

"I found out last night (that I would be playing). It was not a rank turner, but if you bowled in the right places it was giving help." New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said the wicket turned a bit more when they were batting and India's four quality spinners exploited it to the hilt. 

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/S5ITs7l

Read More

"You're Very, Very Welcome": UK PM To Zelensky A Day After Trump Clash

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday gave Volodymyr Zelensky a warm welcome to his Downing Street offices, a day after the Ukrainian leader's clash with US President Donald Trump.

"You're very, very welcome here in Downing Street," Starmer told Zelensky. "And as you've heard from the cheers street outside, you have full backing across the United Kingdom, and we stand with you with Ukraine for as long as it may take."

Starmer said both leaders wanted to achieve "a lasting peace for Ukraine, based on sovereignty and security for Ukraine -- so important for Europe and so important for the United Kingdom".

Zelensky responded that had seen the hundreds of supporters gathered outside Downing Street, and that "I want to thank you, the people of the United Kingdom, for such big support from the very beginning of this war".

"I'm very happy that his majesty the king accepted my meeting tomorrow and we are very happy in Ukraine that we have such a strategic partner," he added. "We count on your support."

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/C9FqHm6

Read More

Amitabh Bachchan's 'Gaye The, Waapis Aagaye' Tweet Triggers Speculation

On Saturday morning, Amitabh Bachchan took to Twitter to share a cryptic post that seemed to reference recent events at the White House. He wrote, "Gaye the, wapas aagaye (Went there but came back)." Many assumed the tweet was directly related to the situation, but its true meaning remains unclear, leaving followers to speculate.

As a result, Amitabh's social media followers began discussing the hint in his post, sharing their own interpretations and leaving intriguing comments on his X post. The tweet sparked a lively conversation among his followers, with many speculating about the possible context behind his message and offering their thoughts on what he could be referring to.

T 5302 - गये थे, वापस आ गये

— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) February 28, 2025

One user commented, "This perfectly sums up the meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump," adding, "Sir, Zelensky has returned to Ukraine after making the situation there worse during his time in America."

"Even Bachchan, sir, has more diplomatic skills than Zelensky. Even he can say things in a subtle manner," wrote another.

"Respect for Legend' Amitabh Bachchan, sir," commented another user.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance on Friday berated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over the war in Ukraine, accusing him of not showing gratitude after he challenged Vance on the question of diplomacy with Russia's Vladimir Putin.

The argument in the Oval Office was broadcast globally. It led to the rest of Zelenskyy's White House visit being canceled and called into question how much the U.S. will still support Ukraine in its defense against Russia's 2022 invasion.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/N38nqlb

Read More

Black Woman In Charge Of US Military Health Agency Forced To Resign: Report

US Army Lieutenant General Telita Crosland, the head of the military's health agency and one of the most senior Black female officers in the Army, was forced to retire on Friday, two sources told Reuters. The move comes just a week after President Donald Trump fired the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other senior officers, in an unprecedented shake-up.

Although Crosland's retirement was publicly announced, Reuters is first to report that she was forced to end her 32-year military career.

On Friday, Stephen Ferrara, the acting assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, said that Crosland had started her retirement.

"I want to thank Crosland for her dedication to the nation, to the military health system, and to Army medicine for the past 32 years," Ferrara said in a statement.

But a current and former official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Crosland had been told that she must retire. She was not given a reason why, the officials, said.

The Pentagon declined to say why Crosland retired and referred Reuters to the Defense Health Agency. The DHA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has moved quickly to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at the Pentagon, arguing that they are divisive.

Earlier this month, Hegseth said he thought that "diversity is our strength" was the "single dumbest phrase in military history."

Hegseth has also ended commemorations of identity month celebrations, like Black History Month and Women's History Month.

Diversity, equity and inclusion programs seek to promote opportunities for women, ethnic minorities and other traditionally underrepresented groups. Civil rights advocates argue that such programs, generally backed by Democrats, are needed to address longstanding inequities and structural racism.

In an article posted on the health agency's website last year, Crosland downplayed her identity as a Black female in the Army.

"I don't actually frame anything I do day-in and day-out in the terms of my race or my gender. That's always been a hard question for me to answer," she said.

"It's not because I don't understand the responsibility ... certainly, there are challenges that come from being a woman in the military, there are challenges that come from being African American, and being in the military."

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/a8KO7QD

Read More

Real Madrid vs Real Betis Live Streaming, La Liga: When And Where To Watch

Real Madrid vs Real Betis Live Streaming, La Liga: Real Madrid are all set to take on Real Betis in their next La Liga match on Saturday at the Benito Villamarimn in Sevilla, Spain. Currently, Madrid are standing at the second spot in the La Liga points table with 16 victories in 25 matches. On the other hand, Real Betis are at the seventh place with nine wins in 25 games. Madrid will be coming to this clash after claiming an 1-0 win over Real Sociedad in the first leg semi-final match of the Copa Del Ray. Interestingly, Betis have not won any of their last nine games against Madrid in La Liga. 

In this game, all eyes will be on Antony as the Real Betis is likely to return for the match after his red card was dismissed by La Liga. 

Real Madrid vs Real Betis LIVE Streaming details, La Liga 2024-25 LIVE Telecast: Check Where and How to Watch?

When will the Real Madrid vs Real Betis, La Liga match take place?

The Real Madrid vs Real Betis, La Liga match will take place on Saturday, March 1 (IST).

Where will the Real Madrid vs Real Betis, La Liga match be held?

The Real Madrid vs Real Betis, La Liga match will be held at the at the Benito Villamarimn in Sevilla, Spain. 

What time will the Real Madrid vs Real Betis, La Liga match start?

The Real Madrid vs Real Betis, La Liga match will start at 11:00 PM IST.

Which TV channels will show the live telecast of the Real Madrid vs Real Betis, La Liga match?

The Real Madrid vs Real Betis, La Liga match will not be televised live in India.

Where to follow the live streaming of the Real Madrid vs Real Betis, La Liga match?

The Real Madrid vs Real Betis, La Liga match will be live streamed on the on the GXR World app and website.

(All details are as per information provided by the broadcaster)

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/XJ8N96o

Read More