South Africa’s eternal battle with high-pressure games continued as they suffered yet another heartbreaking semifinal exit, this time at the hands of New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Despite carrying strong momentum into the knockout stage, the Proteas faltered when it mattered most, failing to mount any real challenge while chasing a daunting target of 363.
Their 51-run loss at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore reignited the age-old narrative of them being ‘chokers’—a tag they seem unable to shake off. While New Zealand executed a near-flawless game plan, South Africa crumbled under pressure, prompting harsh criticism from former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik.
Dinesh Karthik heavily criticizes South Africa
Karthik did not hold back in his post-match assessment, slamming South Africa for what he termed a “meek surrender.” Expressing disappointment over their lack of intent, he criticized the Proteas for not even making New Zealand sweat in the closing stages of the match.
“I want to state it on record—New Zealand annihilated South Africa; it was as simple as that. They were not in the game. I thought South Africa would get close and put pressure on them,” Karthik remarked while analyzing the match for Cricbuzz.
What irked Karthik the most was South Africa’s approach in the death overs. He argued that while a required run rate of nine per over in the last 10 overs is achievable, needing 140 in the same period is almost impossible. Even David Miller’s valiant century couldn’t save them from another embarrassing exit.
“That’s what you expected from South Africa—this is a meek surrender,” Karthik added. “You can always back yourself to get 90 in the last ten overs, but you cannot have 140. Even in T20, it’s hardly done.”
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Kiwis continue to haunt South Africa’s World Cup dreams
New Zealand, on the other hand, showcased clinical efficiency, led by the magnificent centuries of Rachin Ravindra (108 off 101) and Kane Williamson (102 off 94). The duo’s calculated aggression set the stage for a late-innings assault, with Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, and Michael Bracewell adding 112 runs in the final 10 overs to take the total to 362/6.
In response, South Africa’s chase started with promise, thanks to a solid 105-run stand between Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen. However, the middle order collapsed under mounting scoreboard pressure, ensuring New Zealand’s comfortable passage to the final.
