Dubai, March 9, 2025: A dominant bowling display followed by a blistering half-century from skipper Rohit Sharma powered India to a four-wicket win over New Zealand, securing their third ICC Men’s Champions Trophy title at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Having previously won the tournament in 2002 and 2013, India comfortably chased down 252 with six wickets down and six balls to spare.
India got off to a flying start as Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill stitched a solid 105-run opening partnership. Sharma led the charge with an aggressive 83-ball 76 (7 fours, 3 sixes), while Gill contributed a steady 31 off 50 before falling to Mitchell Santner, courtesy of a sharp catch by Glenn Phillips at short cover.
India then suffered a mini-collapse, losing Virat Kohli (1) and Sharma in quick succession to Michael Bracewell and Rachin Ravindra, respectively.
Axar Patel (29 off 40) and Shreyas Iyer (48 off 62, 2 fours, 2 sixes) stabilized the innings with a 61-run stand, but both departed within 16 deliveries, leaving India in a tricky spot.
With 38 needed off the final six overs, Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul put India within touching distance before Kyle Jamieson dismissed Pandya. However, Rahul (34 off 33)* kept his composure and guided India home.
For New Zealand, Santner and Bracewell took two wickets each, while Ravindra and Jamieson claimed one apiece.
New Zealand, opting to bat first under skipper Mitchell Santner, posted 251/7 despite a fighting half-century from Daryl Mitchell.
Openers Will Young (15 off 23) and Rachin Ravindra (37 off 29, 4 fours, 1 six) provided a brisk 57-run start, but Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav struck in quick succession. Yadav removed both Ravindra and Kane Williamson (11 off 14) in consecutive overs, reducing New Zealand to 75/3.
Mitchell anchored the innings with a cautious 63 off 101 (3 fours), forming crucial partnerships with Glenn Phillips (34) and Michael Bracewell. However, Mohammed Shami dismissed him in the 46th over, halting New Zealand’s momentum.
Bracewell remained unbeaten on 53 off 40 (3 fours, 2 sixes), providing a late flourish, but India’s bowlers kept the scoring in check.
For India, Yadav and Chakravarthy picked up two wickets each, while Jadeja and Shami took one apiece.
With this win, India add a third Champions Trophy title to their collection, reaffirming their dominance in white-ball cricket.
