In the finals of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, India defeated New Zealand by four wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 🇮🇳🏆
— ICC (@ICC) March 9, 2025
India get their hands on a third #ChampionsTrophy title 🤩 pic.twitter.com/Dl0rSpXIZR
The Kiwis won the toss and decided to bat first. On a slow surface, they batted with maturity to score over 250. In the powerplay, the unit got to 69/1, but soon after Kuldeep Yadav scalped two vitals wickets and kept NZ batters in check. Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja were instrumental in keeping pressure and preventing the Kiwis from breaking free. Varun Chakravarthy also contributed with a couple of crucial wickets, ensuring the New Zealand innings never got momentum.
In the chase, Rohit Sharma (76) produced a strong start for Team, helping the team reach 64 runs in the powerplay without losing a wicket. Alongside the skipper, Shubman Gill (31) batted well alongside the skipper, rotating the strike and allowing Rohit to take the lead. The two put on a steady 105-run partnership until Gill was removed in the 19th over following a sensational catch by Glenn Phillips. Virat Kohli, who was in good form, lost his wicket in the very next over, giving the Kiwis hope. Rohit continued to bat but was ultimately removed by Rachin Ravindra. Throughout his innings, the “Hitman” hit seven fours and three sixes. Shreyas Iyer (48) and Axar Patel (29) then rebuilt the innings with a solid 61-run partnership for the fourth wicket. However, Iyer was dismissed just after the second drinks break. Towards the conclusion of the innings, KL Rahul (34) and Hardik Pandya (18) formed a solid partnership that helped seal the chase. Finally, Jadeja scored the winning runs in the 49th over to secure India’s third Champions Trophy title.
Batting first, the Black Caps got off to a strong start in the powerplay, owing to several stunning strokes from Ravindra (37). However, Indian bowlers were fast to restrict the New Zealand batters, cutting out boundaries and slowing their scoring in the middle overs. While New Zealand continued to accumulate singles and doubles, their inability to find the boundary proved to be a game-changing moment. Darcy Mitchell (63) delivered an important knock under pressure, while Michael Bracewell (53*) contributed a quick-fire fifty, which proved to be New Zealand’s saving grace. They scored 251/7 in 50 overs, with 50 of those runs coming in the last five overs.
With the ball for India, Chakaravarthy delivered the first breakthrough, followed by two vital wickets from Kuldeep. Varun also got rid of Phillips towards the end of the innings. One wicket each was also taken by Mohammad Shami and Jadeja.
For NZ with the ball, Jamieson, and Ravindra grabbed one wicket each, while two wickets were also taken by Bracewell and Mitchell Santner. The side clearly missed the presence of Matt Henry.
Skipper Rohit Sharma was adjudged with the Player of the Match. With this result, India have conquered the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.
Scorecard:
New Zealand: 251/7, Overs 50, Darly Mitchell 63, Kuldeep Yadav 2/40
India: 254/6, Overs 49, Rohit Sharma 76, Michael Bracewell 2/28