"This is meek surrender" - Dinesh Karthik blasts South Africa for choking in CT 2025 semi-final

New Zealand completely dominated South Africa in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal, leaving fans and experts stunned by the Proteas’ lack of fight shown during their 50-run loss at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on March 5.

The Black Caps have destroyed their opponents with ease, as South Africa crumbled under pressure while chasing the record 363-run target in Lahore. After losing Ryan Rickelton cheaply, Proteas captain Temba Bavuma and star batter Rassie van der Dussen built a promising 105-run stand but could not show the urgency against New Zealand.

New Zealand crush South Africa to storm into ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final

Later, the middle order collapsed, and hopes of a late surge faded as the required run rate went out of their control, and eventually, they lost the game to the Black Caps to make a heartbreaking exit from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Read Also: 'It's farcical, laughable, and nonsense': David Lloyd blasts ICC amid India's CT 2025 dominance

After the second semifinal, Dinesh Karthik didn’t hold back in his criticism, blasting the Proteas for failing to show intent. The former Indian wicketkeeper-batter was furious at South Africa for surrendering meekly instead of taking the match deep and allowing New Zealand to record a comfortable win to make it to the finals.

New Zealand annihilated South Africa: Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz, “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 said that he was expecting a fightback from the South African side, but he was left disappointed that they fell out of contention far too early in the semifinal against the Black Caps.

The cricket pundit further explained, “That’s what you expected from South Africa. This is a meek surrender. They were not in the game so early. You can’t turn up to a semifinal feeling happy to be there. Play like a champion team.”

Read Also: Temba Bavuma to step down as skipper? Ex-Proteas pacer drops bold verdict after CT 2025 semi-final loss

Dinesh Karthik blames South Africa's top order for semifinal defeat against New Zeland

With the game slipping away, the Proteas needed a big push in the final stage, but chasing over 140 runs in the last ten overs proved impossible.

Karthik signed off by saying, “You can always back yourself to get 90 in the last ten in the back end, or 85. But you cannot have 140. Even in T20, it is hardly done. With fewer wickets in hand and a slightly older ball, it is next to impossible.”

Earlier, in the match, New Zealand piled up the highest total of 362/6 in the Champions Trophy history, thanks to Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson’s masterful centuries. Ravindra dazzled with a record 108 off 101 balls, smashing 13 boundaries and a six, while Williamson made a big impact with a solid 102 off 94 deliveries, hitting 10 boundaries and two sixes.

Ravindra and Williamson set a strong foundation for the middle order, and they took full advantage in the final overs. Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, and Michael Bracewell played explosive knocks, adding 112 runs in the last 10 overs to ensure New Zealand reached the mountainous total, and Proteas could make 312/9 in their 50 overs in Lahore.