Under the glittering lights of the Dubai International Stadium, the cricketing world witnessed a riveting spectacle as India triumphed over New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. With a thrilling four-wicket victory that held fans on the edge of their seats till the penultimate over, India once again etched their name in the annals of cricketing glory.
A Rollercoaster Chase
India’s chase began on a strong note as openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill stitched together a 105-run stand, making the target seem within easy reach. Rohit played a captain’s knock, scoring a fluent 76, while Gill contributed 31 before Glenn Phillips produced a moment of magic with a spectacular diving catch off Mitchell Santner’s bowling.
The game took a dramatic turn when Michael Bracewell trapped Virat Kohli leg-before for just 1, followed by Rachin Ravindra dismissing Rohit, leaving India in a precarious position. Further setbacks came with Shreyas Iyer falling for 48 and Axar Patel departing cheaply, caught by Will O’Rourke off Bracewell’s bowling.
Hardik Pandya’s quick 18 kept India in the hunt, but his dismissal in the 48th over left Rahul and Jadeja with the task of steering the team to victory. The experienced duo held their nerve, calmly accumulating runs before sealing the win in the 49th over, sending the Indian fans into raptures.
New Zealand’s Gritty First Innings
Earlier in the day, New Zealand, opting to bat first, posted a respectable 251/7. The Black Caps got off to a steady start, with Will Young and Rachin Ravindra benefitting from a few missed chances by India. However, India’s spinners soon tightened their grip, slowing New Zealand’s scoring rate in the middle overs.
Varun Chakaravarthy was the standout performer with the ball, taking two key wickets, while Kuldeep Yadav also made a significant impact. Kuldeep dismissed Ravindra for 37 and claimed a stunning return catch to remove Kane Williamson, who managed only 20 before a quad injury forced him off the field.
Tom Latham (14) fell lbw to Jadeja, while Glenn Phillips contributed a handy 34 before Varun shattered his stumps. The most resilient knock came from Daryl Mitchell, who played a patient 63 off 101 balls, ensuring New Zealand had a fighting total.
Mitchell Santner’s unfortunate run-out and a late cameo from Michael Bracewell (50*) helped New Zealand add 50 runs in the last five overs, giving their bowlers a competitive target to defend.
India’s Unbeaten Run Seals Glory
With this victory, India capped off a flawless campaign, remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament. Having defeated Australia in the semi-finals, they carried their momentum into the final, overcoming a spirited challenge from the Black Caps.
Rohit Sharma lifted the coveted Champions Trophy, marking another glorious chapter in Indian cricket history. With stellar performances from both bat and ball, India reaffirmed their status as a dominant force in world cricket.
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