Dubai: India once again showcased its dominance in international cricket by securing a 4-wicket victory over New Zealand in the Champions Trophy 2025 final.
This win marks India’s return to glory in the tournament, having last won the title in 2013 by defeating England.
New Zealand’s Innings: Mitchell and Bracewell Stand Strong
Batting first, New Zealand put up a competitive total with steady contributions from their middle order.
- Will Young was dismissed early for 15 runs.
- Captain Kane Williamson also fell cheaply, scoring just 11 runs.
- Tom Latham added 14 runs but couldn’t make a significant impact.
- Daryl Mitchell played a crucial knock, scoring 63 runs, anchoring the innings.
- Michael Bracewell remained unbeaten with 53 runs, ensuring New Zealand reached a respectable total.
- Rachin Ravindra contributed 37 runs, while Glenn Phillips scored 34 runs.
- Nathan Smith remained not out on 0 as New Zealand finished at 251/7 in 50 overs.
Indian Bowlers Keep New Zealand in Check
India’s bowling attack maintained pressure during the middle overs, restricting New Zealand from posting a bigger total.
- Kuldeep Yadav took 2 wickets in his 10-over spell.
- Varun Chakravarthy also bagged 2 wickets.
- Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja took 1 wicket each.
- Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya didn’t pick up wickets but were economical in their spells.
India’s Chase: Rohit Sharma Leads from the Front
Chasing 252, India faced early pressure but regained momentum under the leadership of Rohit Sharma.
- Rohit Sharma played a captain’s knock, scoring 76 runs off 83 balls with 7 fours and 3 sixes.
- Shubman Gill provided a steady start with 31 runs.
- Virat Kohli had a rare failure, getting dismissed for just 1 run.
- Shreyas Iyer played a pivotal role with 48 runs, stabilizing the chase.
- KL Rahul remained unbeaten on 34 runs, guiding India towards victory.
- Axar Patel contributed a quick 29 runs, while Hardik Pandya added 18 runs.
- Ravindra Jadeja stayed not out on 9 runs, ensuring India crossed the finish line at 252/6 in 49 overs.
Turning Point of the Match
The key moment in the match was the 102-run partnership between Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer.
Despite Kohli’s early dismissal, this partnership provided the foundation for India’s successful chase. In the final overs, Rahul and Jadeja ensured there were no hiccups, sealing the win.
India’s Third Champions Trophy Victory
With this triumph, India has now won the Champions Trophy for the third time:
- 2002 – Joint winners with Sri Lanka.
- 2013 – Defeated England to lift the trophy.
- 2025 – Defeated New Zealand to reclaim the title.
Match Awards and Key Performances
- Player of the Match: Rohit Sharma (76 runs).
- Player of the Series: Kuldeep Yadav (11 wickets in the tournament).
- Best Bowling Performance: Varun Chakravarthy (2/43 in the final).
- Crucial Partnership: Rohit Sharma & Shreyas Iyer (102 runs).
Nationwide Celebrations
India’s victory sparked celebrations across the country. Fans in Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru took to the streets to celebrate.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Indian team with a special message on social media, lauding their remarkable performance.
Next Target – T20 World Cup 2026
After clinching the Champions Trophy 2025, Team India now sets its sights on the T20 World Cup 2026.
Captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid see this victory as a stepping stone towards another global triumph.
India’s success in the Champions Trophy reaffirms its strength in world cricket, and the team is now gearing up for its next big challenge on the international stage.
