IND vs NZ: Do fans want India to lose to New Zealand? The Champions Trophy 2025 buzz explained

The clash between India and New Zealand ¡ª the final group stage game of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 ¡ª is underway, and Team India is already in trouble, having lost 3 wickets in 7 overs with just 30 runs on the board. Surprisingly, though, many Indian fans seem okay with this.

Why, you may ask?

It all comes down to the semi-finalists from Group B ¡ª Australia and South Africa. If it sounds confusing, here's the reason: fans want India to face South Africa in the semi-finals.

Australia ?? India ?? New Zealand ?? South Africa ??

We have our 4?? semi-finalists of the #ChampionsTrophy 2025 ?

More ?? https://t.co/0MmEMSIfFq pic.twitter.com/nZeGXCUzJ7

¡ª ICC (@ICC) March 1, 2025

What's the semi-final scenario?

The semi-finalists for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 are confirmed. India and New Zealand have advanced from Group A, while South Africa and Australia have progressed from Group B. The outcome of the India vs New Zealand match will determine India's semi-final opponent, with the venue set for Dubai.

- If India beats New Zealand, they will face Australia in the semi-final in Dubai. New Zealand, finishing second in the group, will face South Africa in Lahore.

- However, if New Zealand beats India, they will top Group A and face Australia in Lahore. India, finishing second, will face South Africa in Dubai.

Fans want IND vs SA

It seems like the majority of fans want India to lose against the Kiwis to secure a semi-final clash with South Africa in Dubai on March 4. Many believe India would have a better shot at defeating the Proteas rather than facing the Aussies in the knock-out stage.

Some fans are even hoping for a New Zealand win over Australia in the other semi-final, increasing India's chances of avoiding their toughest rival in the final. Here's how fans reacted on X (formerly Twitter).

On said, "Today's pre-match summary of IND vs. NZ: If India wins, they face Australia next. If they lose, they play South Africa in the semis. Stats show South Africa is a slightly easier opponent compared to Australia. So, will India aim for a win or prefer a loss?"

Today's pre-match summary of IND vs NZ

If India wins, they will face Australia next. If they lose, they will play the semis against South Africa.

As per stats, South Africa is a slightly easier opponent compared to Australia based on previous history.

So, will India go for¡­

¡ª ??????? (@cricz18) March 2, 2025

Another wrote, "If we win today against New Zealand, they will beat South Africa in the semi-final and defeat us in the final. If we lose today, we¡¯ll beat SA in the semis, NZ will beat AUS, and we¡¯ll have a shot at the trophy."

If we win today against New Zealand, they will go on to beat South Africa in the semifinal and defeat India in the final. (Meanwhile, we will win SF vs Australia.)

If we lose today, we will defeat SA in the SF, while NZ will overcome AUS.
In the final, we will then defeat NZ. pic.twitter.com/ySZWBrwKdU

¡ª Vivek Verma (@vvindia) March 2, 2025

One wrote, "I do think that India gonna lose tomorrow to NZ and they will face South Africa in the Semi final in Dubai where South Africa will look to take revenge from India of previous finals and they can go with Shamsi and Maharaj and gonna find it tough to qualify!!"

I do think that India gonna lose tomorrow to NZ and they will face South Africa in the Semi final in Dubai where South Africa will look to take revenge from India of previous finals and they can go with shamsi and Maharaj and gonna find it tough to qualify!!#ChampionsTrophy2025

¡ª Qasim (@qasim3929) March 1, 2025

Another added, "We need to lose tomorrow, then defeat South Africa, and hope NZ beats AUS. That way, we might just win the final."

We need to lose Tommorow then we defeat south africa and by some miracle NZ defeat AUS in semi then we have a little chance of winning

¡ª Neelansh (@NeelanshT100) March 1, 2025

About IND vs NZ

The Powerplay is over, and India has scored 37 runs and lost three key wickets ¡ª Shubman Gill (2 off 7), Rohit Sharma (15 off 17), and Virat Kohli (11 off 14). Matt Henry picked up two wickets while Kyle Jamieson has one to his name. Currently, Axar Patel and Shreyas Iyer are at the crease, trying to stabilize the innings.

Teams

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy

New Zealand (Playing XI): Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham(w), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner(c), Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, William ORourke

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