During the India vs New Zealand Group A match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Indian spinners dominated to secure a 44-run win in Dubai to end the group stage on top of the Group A points table. During the second innings, there was a time when the former Indian captain Virat Kohli went to touch Axar Patel's feet. 

On Sunday (March 2), India beat New Zealand by 44 runs. After the Blackcaps captain Mitchell Santner chose to field first, India scored 249/9, while New Zealand were all out for 205 runs. During the first innings, after India went to 30/3 by losing the first three batters, Axar Patel helped Shreyas Iyer to set up the innings. They had a 98-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Patel scored 42 off 61 balls with three fours and one six before Rachin Ravindra dismissed him after Kane Williamson grabbed a good catch.

Indian spinners dominated during New Zealand's innings. Apart from the former captain Kane Williamson, there was no challenge from the Blackcaps batting unit. Williamson scored fighting 81 off 120 balls with seven fours but it wasn't enough for his team. 

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Axar Patel dismissed Kane Williamson on his last ball of the match

As usual, Axar Patel bowled really well but didn't pick a wicket before the last over. On his final ball of the match, Williamson went to hit him but completely missed and the wicketkeeper KL Rahul had no chance to make a mistake. It was Patel's only wicket of the match, which was big enough, and he finished with the incredible bowling figures of 10-0-31-1.

Laughing scene: Virat Kohli went to touch Axar Patel's feet

After Williamson's departure, while Patel finished his spell, former Indian captain Virat Kohli went to him and almost touched his feet while Patel quickly held his hand and both laughed at that. 

Kohli touching Axar Patel's feet after he got Williamson out 😭#Kohli #AxarPatel #INDvNZ #ChampionsTrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/mJmgQ95Y15

— voodoo mama juju (@ayotarun) March 2, 2025