India faces New Zealand in the final league match of the 2025 Champions Trophy, with the top spot at stake. Reports suggest Mohammed Shami could be rested, with Arshdeep Singh replacing him. Rohit Sharma, who strained his hamstring, remains a doubtful starter, though assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said, “He knows how to manage it.” India aims to balance fitness and momentum before the semi-finals. Spinner Varun Chakaravarthy is unlikely to play, with Kuldeep Yadav retaining his spot. The likely XI includes Rohit, Gill, Kohli, Iyer, Rahul, Axar, Jadeja, Pandya, Kuldeep, Harshit Rana, and Arshdeep.

India and New Zealand are set for a thrilling Champions Trophy showdown tomorrow. The Kiwis have been India’s toughest ICC rivals, defeating them in the 2000 Champions Trophy final and the 2019 World Cup semifinal. With both teams in top form, the match promises an intense battle. India seeks redemption, while New Zealand aims to continue its dominance. Star players from both sides will play a crucial role in determining the outcome. Fans worldwide eagerly anticipate this high-voltage encounter, expecting a spectacle of skill, strategy, and determination. Cricket’s fiercest rivalry is about to reignite.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025's scheduling has sparked criticism as Australia and South Africa face unnecessary travel ahead of the semi-finals. While India remains in Dubai for all matches, Australia and South Africa will fly to Dubai on Saturday but may return to Pakistan just a day later. The Group A runner-up faces the Group B winner, meaning one team will have to relocate twice before the knockout stage. Players, including Rassie van der Dussen and Pat Cummins, have criticized India’s venue advantage. The final semi-final match-ups will be confirmed after India's clash with New Zealand on Sunday.

India may rest pacer Mohammed Shami for Sunday's ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash against New Zealand due to a calf issue from the Pakistan game. With five left-handers in New Zealand's lineup, Arshdeep Singh is likely to replace him. Shami, who bowled only 6-7 overs at training, is being managed ahead of the semi-finals. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate also provided an update on Rohit Sharma, confirming he is managing his injury well. On KL Rahul vs Rishabh Pant for wicketkeeping, Doeschate admitted it was a tough selection call but praised Rahul’s contributions in crucial moments.

In the final Group B match of the Champions Trophy 2025, England faces South Africa in Karachi. While England is already eliminated after defeats to Australia and Afghanistan, this match is significant for Afghanistan's semi-final aspirations. A substantial England victory could potentially edge out South Africa, paving the way for Afghanistan's progression. This game also marks the end of Jos Buttler's tenure as England's ODI captain, following a series of disappointing performances. Buttler's resignation comes amid England's struggles, having lost 15 of their last 21 ODIs. South Africa, on the other hand, has shown strong form, notably defeating Afghanistan earlier in the tournament. The outcome of this match will determine the final semi-finalist from Group B.  

In the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 final, Vidarbha's Karun Nair showcased exceptional form against Kerala. On Day 4 in Nagpur, Nair reached his 23rd first-class century, scoring 100 off 184 balls, including two sixes and seven boundaries. Notably, upon reaching this milestone, he celebrated by raising nine fingers, symbolizing his ninth century across all formats this season. Earlier in the match, Nair contributed a vital 86 runs in the first innings. His consistent performances have been instrumental in Vidarbha's campaign, highlighting his resilience and skill on the domestic circuit.

In the third round of the 2025 Prague Chess Festival Masters, GM Aravindh Chithambaram claimed the sole lead by defeating GM Wei Yi. Aravindh's strong opening preparation and aggressive play led to his second consecutive victory, positioning him at 2.5 points. GM R Praggnanandhaa achieved his first win in the tournament by capitalizing on GM Thai Dai Van Nguyen's 14...f5 error, concluding the game in 29 moves. This victory elevated Praggnanandhaa to second place with 2 points. GM Vincent Keymer rebounded from a previous loss by overcoming GM Sam Shankland, who had co-led earlier. Keymer's strategic play in a rook endgame secured him 2 points. Other matches saw GM Ediz Gurel drawing with GM Liem Le, despite a favorable position, and GM Anish Giri splitting points with GM David Navara. 

Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has rebuked former England captains Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton for alleging that India has an unfair advantage in the 2025 Champions Trophy by playing all their matches in Dubai. Gavaskar criticized their focus on India instead of addressing England's own shortcomings, especially after their recent losses, including an eight-run defeat to Afghanistan that led to their tournament exit. He emphasized India's significant contribution to global cricket revenues, stating, "They need to understand that their salaries also come from what India brings to the world of cricket." Gavaskar urged critics to introspect and improve their teams rather than attributing their failures to external factors.

Virat Kohli is poised to play his 300th One Day International (ODI) match against New Zealand on Sunday, becoming the 22nd player and seventh Indian to achieve this milestone. In his previous game, Kohli scored an unbeaten century against Pakistan, marking his first ODI hundred since November 2023. This century also saw him surpass 14,000 ODI runs, joining legends Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara in this elite club. Both India and New Zealand have secured semifinal spots in the Champions Trophy, with the upcoming match determining the top position in Group A. Teammate KL Rahul lauded Kohli's contributions, emphasizing his significance to Indian cricket.

KL Rahul confirmed there are no fitness concerns for Rohit Sharma and Mohammed Shami ahead of India's ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash against New Zealand. Both players left the field with minor issues during India’s win over Pakistan but have been training without problems. With both teams already in the semifinals, some speculated key players might rest, but Rahul dismissed that possibility. He also acknowledged competition with Rishabh Pant for the wicketkeeper role, calling him "a very talented player." India faces New Zealand on March 2, followed by the semifinals on March 4.