India Triumphs Over New Zealand to Win Champions Trophy Final
Dubai, 9 March: In a thrilling Champions Trophy 2025 Final, India clinched victory over New Zealand by 4 wickets, successfully chasing down a competitive target of 252 with an over to spare. The match saw a spectacular showdown between two top cricketing nations, keeping fans on edge until the final moments.
New Zealand's Fighting Total of 251/7
Batting first after winning the toss, New Zealand posted 251/7 in 50 overs, thanks to Daryl Mitchell’s resilient 63 off 101 balls and an explosive 53 off 40 balls by Michael Bracewell.
Opener Rachin Ravindra (37 off 29) gave the Kiwis a flying start, while Glenn Phillips (34 off 52) played a steady knock. However, India’s bowlers kept things tight in the middle overs.
India’s Bowling Brilliance
- Kuldeep Yadav (2/40) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/51) provided crucial breakthroughs.
- Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja took a wicket each.
- Virat Kohli’s direct hit to run out Mitchell Santner was a game-changing moment.
Despite a strong finish from Bracewell, India managed to restrict New Zealand to a chaseable total.
Rohit Sharma's Captain's Knock Leads India's Chase
India’s chase started with Rohit Sharma leading from the front, playing a captain’s knock of 76 off 83 balls (7 fours, 3 sixes). He built crucial partnerships:
- Rohit & Gill: 61-run opening stand.
- Rohit & Iyer: 52-run partnership stabilized the chase.
- Shreyas Iyer (48 off 62) and Axar Patel (29 off 40) played supporting roles.
Despite losing Virat Kohli early for just 1 run, India stayed on track.
A Nerve-Wracking Finish
As the match entered the final 5 overs, India still needed 24 runs off 30 balls, with KL Rahul (34 off 33) and Hardik Pandya (18 off 18)* at the crease.
Hardik played a crucial cameo before falling to Kyle Jamieson, but Rahul’s calm and composed batting ensured India crossed the target in the 49th over.
Turning Points of the Match
- Rohit Sharma's match-winning 76 set the foundation for India’s chase.
- Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy took 2 wickets each, putting pressure on New Zealand.
- Bracewell’s 53 off 40* gave New Zealand hope in the final overs.
- KL Rahul’s calm finishing touch guided India home in the 49th over.
India Crowned Champions!
With this victory, India lifts the Champions Trophy 2025, marking another glorious moment in their cricket history. The team’s balanced performance with both bat and ball sealed a well-deserved win against a strong New Zealand side.
Final Score:
- New Zealand: 251/7 (50 overs)
- India: 254/6 (49 overs)
- India won by 4 wickets with 6 balls remaining
Man of the Match: Rohit Sharma (76 off 83, 7 fours, 3 sixes)
India’s Champions Trophy triumph adds another prestigious title to their cabinet, and this victory will be remembered as a testament to their resilience and dominance in world cricket.
