Dubai: Team India made history by securing their third Champions Trophy title, defeating New Zealand by four wickets in an electrifying final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Chasing a target of 252, India held their nerve and completed the chase in 49 overs, reaffirming their dominance in ICC tournaments.
This win adds another feather to India’s cricketing legacy, following their Champions Trophy triumphs in 2002 (shared) and 2013.
New Zealand First Innings: A Hard-Fought Total
Winning the toss, New Zealand opted to bat first and posted a competitive 251/7 in 50 overs. The innings was anchored by Daryl Mitchell (63) and Michael Bracewell (53 not out), who played crucial knocks to guide the Blackcaps past 250.
Key Bowling Performances for India:
- Kuldeep Yadav: 2/40 (10 overs)
- Varun Chakravarthy: 2/45 (9 overs)
- Mohammed Shami: 1/48 (10 overs)
- Ravindra Jadeja: 1/37 (10 overs)
India’s bowlers, particularly the spinners, tightened the screws in the middle overs, preventing New Zealand from accelerating beyond 270—a total that could have been much harder to chase on the slow Dubai pitch.
India Chase: Rohit Sharma Sets the Tone
India’s chase started on a dominant note, thanks to captain Rohit Sharma’s attacking 76. His aggressive approach put pressure on New Zealand’s bowlers early on, but wickets at regular intervals made the chase tricky.
Despite the setbacks, Shreyas Iyer (48) and KL Rahul (34 not out) played crucial knocks, steadying the innings. Ravindra Jadeja’s composed 9 not out ensured India crossed the finish line without any late drama.
Top Performers in India Batting:
- Rohit Sharma: 76 (6 fours, 3 sixes)
- Shreyas Iyer: 48 (5 fours, 1 six)
- KL Rahul: 34* (4 fours)
India reached the target in the 49th over, clinching another historic ICC trophy.
Key Highlights of the Match:
✔️ Rohit Sharma’s Explosive Start: His power-hitting gave India the momentum early on.
✔️ Kuldeep & Chakravarthy’s Spin Web: Controlled the game by breaking key partnerships.
✔️ Bracewell’s Gritty Fifty: Kept New Zealand in the contest with a valuable knock.
✔️ Jadeja’s Cool Finish: Ensured a steady and composed end to the chase.
A Landmark Victory for Team India
With this triumph, India now holds three Champions Trophy titles (2002, 2013, and 2025), establishing themselves as one of the most successful teams in ICC history.
After the match, Rohit Sharma lauded the team’s all-round performance, while New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner admitted that India played the better game on the day.
