Dubai, March 9, 2025 – India secured their third ICC Champions Trophy title with a thrilling four-wicket victory over New Zealand at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The match showcased exceptional performances from both sides, with India emerging victorious in a closely contested encounter.
New Zealand’s Innings: Steady Contributions Amidst Spin Challenge
Opting to bat first, New Zealand posted a total of 251/7 in their allotted 50 overs. The innings was anchored by Daryl Mitchell, who scored a resilient 63 runs, and Michael Bracewell, who contributed an unbeaten 53 runs. Despite these efforts, the Kiwi batsmen struggled to accelerate, largely due to the effective spin bowling from India. Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy were instrumental in applying pressure, each claiming two wickets and maintaining economical spells.
India’s Chase: Rohit Sharma Leads with a Captain’s Knock
Chasing a target of 252 runs, India got off to a solid start, thanks to a commanding innings from captain Rohit Sharma, who scored 76 runs. His performance laid a strong foundation for the chase. Shreyas Iyer added a valuable 48 runs, while KL Rahul remained unbeaten with a composed 34 runs, guiding India to victory with six balls to spare.
Key Performances:
India:
- Rohit Sharma: 76 runs
- Shreyas Iyer: 48 runs
- KL Rahul: 34* runs
- Kuldeep Yadav: 2 wickets for 40 runs
- Varun Chakravarthy: 2 wickets for 45 runs
New Zealand:
- Daryl Mitchell: 63 runs
- Michael Bracewell: 53* runs
- Mitchell Santner: 2 wickets for 46 runs
- Michael Bracewell: 2 wickets for 28 runs
Captains’ Remarks:
Rohit Sharma expressed immense pride in his team’s performance, highlighting the crucial role of the spinners throughout the tournament. He emphasized the collective effort that led to India’s success.
Mitchell Santner, leading New Zealand in the absence of Kane Williamson due to injury, acknowledged that his team fell short by approximately 20 runs. He praised India’s spinners for their impactful performance and reflected on the challenges faced by his side.
India’s Continued Dominance in ICC Tournaments:
This victory marks India’s third ICC Champions Trophy title, following their previous wins in 2002 and 2013. The team’s consistent performances in recent ICC events underscore their status as a dominant force in international cricket.