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India Clinches Third ICC Champions Trophy with a Thrilling Win Over New Zealand
India Seals a Historic Victory in Champions Trophy 2025 Final
India lifted their third ICC Champions Trophy after securing a thrilling four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the 2025 final held in Dubai. The Men in Blue showcased resilience and composure while chasing 251 on a challenging surface, adding their seventh ICC senior title to an already illustrious cabinet. Despite New Zealand’s valiant efforts with the bat and ball, India remained unbeaten throughout the tournament and successfully clinched the trophy.
Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul Lead India’s Chase
A Flying Start from Rohit Sharma
Skipper Rohit Sharma led from the front, providing India with an explosive start in the run chase. His attacking knock of 69 off 63 balls set the tone early, forming a formidable 105-run opening stand with Shubman Gill. New Zealand’s pacers struggled initially in the absence of their injured spearhead Matt Henry, allowing Rohit to exploit scoring opportunities freely. By the eighth over, India had raced to 59 runs, with Rohit accounting for 47 of them.
New Zealand’s Fightback with Spin
New Zealand’s spinners then turned the tide. Mitchell Santner dismissed Gill with a stunning catch by Glenn Phillips at cover, and Michael Bracewell trapped Virat Kohli LBW for just one run. Rohit, who had slowed down post the initial onslaught, was eventually stumped while attempting to attack Rachin Ravindra. At 122/3, the game was evenly poised.
Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel Stabilize the Innings
Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel added a crucial 62-run partnership to regain momentum. Iyer was handed a lifeline when Will Young stepped onto the boundary while attempting a catch, and Kyle Jamieson later dropped a sitter at long-on when Iyer was on 44. However, Iyer’s luck ran out as he fell to Santner, caught at short fine leg. Patel’s stay also ended after a well-made contribution, leaving India needing 48 runs off the final eight overs.
KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya Deliver the Finishing Blow
With the equation balanced, KL Rahul’s composure and clean hitting came to India’s rescue. A well-timed six off Santner eased some nerves, and Hardik Pandya chipped in with crucial boundaries. Although Pandya perished to a Jamieson bouncer, Rahul (35*) and Ravindra Jadeja ensured India crossed the finish line with 11 balls to spare.
New Zealand’s Resilient Batting Effort
Rachin Ravindra’s Explosive Start
Earlier in the match, New Zealand opted to bat first and got off to a strong start, thanks to Rachin Ravindra. The tournament’s highest run-scorer continued his sublime form, striking boundaries with ease and targeting India’s pace attack. Hardik Pandya and Mohammed Shami bore the brunt of his assault before India introduced their spin weapons.
India’s Spinners Turn the Game Around
Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav made crucial breakthroughs to halt New Zealand’s charge. Chakaravarthy trapped Will Young LBW, while Kuldeep’s first ball deceived Ravindra, dismissing him for 37. He further compounded New Zealand’s troubles by dismissing Kane Williamson with a sharp return catch, reducing the Kiwis to 75/3.
Middle Order Struggles Against Tight Bowling
Tom Latham and Daryl Mitchell adopted a defensive approach as India’s spinners choked the scoring. Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel maintained relentless accuracy, preventing any easy runs. Latham’s 33-run stand with Mitchell ended when he was trapped LBW by Jadeja.
Late Flourish by Bracewell
Mitchell, determined to anchor the innings, found support from Glenn Phillips. Their 57-run stand pushed New Zealand past 150, but Chakaravarthy bowled Phillips for 34. Michael Bracewell then played a counter-attacking knock, scoring an unbeaten 53. His late blitz, including 35 runs in the last three overs, propelled New Zealand to a competitive 251/7.
Key Takeaways from the Final
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Rohit Sharma’s aggressive start set up India’s chase, but timely breakthroughs kept the game in balance.
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New Zealand’s spinners fought back, taking key wickets in the middle overs.
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India’s spinners dominated, keeping New Zealand’s scoring rate in check.
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KL Rahul and Jadeja’s composed finishing ensured India’s victory in a tense finale.
With this triumph, India has now won the ICC Champions Trophy thrice, cementing their legacy as one of the most dominant teams in international cricket. This victory not only strengthens their position in the ICC rankings but also showcases their ability to perform under pressure in high-stakes tournaments.
For more insights into India’s recent ICC performances, check out our detailed analysis of their tournament journey. To explore New Zealand’s cricketing history and achievements, visit ESPN Cricinfo.
