Image courtesy: X/ICC
India Wins Third Champions Trophy Title: A Tactical Masterclass Against New Zealand
In a thrilling ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final, India defeated New Zealand by four wickets, showcasing their depth, skill, and resilience on a tricky Dubai pitch. This victory marks India’s third Champions Trophy win, adding another ICC trophy to their collection. With this triumph, India now holds two of the four ICC trophies, having reached the final in all recent tournaments, reinforcing their status as a dominant force in world cricket.
Despite a spirited fightback from New Zealand, Rohit Sharma’s explosive knock, KL Rahul’s composed finishing, and India’s elite spin attack proved too much for the Kiwis, who defended valiantly but couldn’t stop India’s relentless charge.
Match Summary: India vs New Zealand – ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final
New Zealand’s Innings: Spinners Choke the Kiwis After a Fiery Start
- Final Score: New Zealand – 248/9 (50 overs)
- Top Performers:
- Michael Bracewell – 53 off 40
- Rachin Ravindra – 37 off 29
- Tom Latham – 38 off 42
- Varun Chakravarthy – 3/38 (10 overs)
- Ravindra Jadeja – 10-0-30-1
Winning the toss for the first time in 16 ODIs, India sent New Zealand to bat first on a slow and low Dubai surface. The Kiwis started aggressively, racing to 69/1 in the powerplay, with Rachin Ravindra leading the charge. However, as the spinners came into play, India’s bowlers choked the run flow, pulling the game back in their favor.
Varun Chakravarthy’s leg-spin magic got India their first breakthrough, dismissing Will Young with a well-drifted delivery. Kuldeep Yadav then produced two match-turning wickets, removing both Ravindra (first ball) and Kane Williamson (beaten in the air, caught & bowled). Jadeja’s relentless accuracy (10-0-30-1) ensured that the Kiwi batters never got comfortable.
Despite Michael Bracewell’s late fightback (53 off 40), New Zealand could only manage 248/9, setting India a target that seemed respectable but gettable.
India’s Chase: Rohit’s Fireworks & Rahul’s Calm Finish
- Final Score: India – 252/6 (48.5 overs)
- Top Performers:
- Rohit Sharma – 76 off 80
- Shubman Gill – 47 off 55
- KL Rahul – 34* off 38
- Rachin Ravindra & Mitchell Santner – Combined 5 wickets
Chasing 249, India got off to a flying start with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill adding 105 runs for the first wicket. Rohit played an aggressive knock, smashing boundaries off the fast bowlers, forcing New Zealand to bring on spin early.
However, the chase wasn’t smooth sailing. Phillips took a stunning one-handed catch at extra cover to dismiss Gill, and in the very next over, Bracewell trapped Virat Kohli LBW for just 1, sending shockwaves through the Indian camp.
With Rohit looking set for a big score, he slowed down before attempting a big shot against Rachin Ravindra, only to be stumped. India found themselves in a tense situation at 122/3, requiring steady rebuilding.
Shreyas Iyer (39) and Axar Patel (28) stitched together a crucial 61-run stand, absorbing pressure. Despite Iyer’s dismissal in the 39th over, the required run rate remained under control, hovering just around a run-a-ball.
With 67 needed off 68 balls, KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja took control, guiding India closer to the target. Even as Hardik Pandya fell to a Jamieson bouncer in the 48th over, India remained in a commanding position, ultimately sealing the victory with six balls to spare.
Key Takeaways from the Final
Spin Dominance on a Slow Pitch
India’s spinners proved why they are world-class, restricting New Zealand in the middle overs.
- Varun Chakravarthy (3/38) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/43) took vital wickets.
- Jadeja’s metronomic spell (10-0-30-1) stifled New Zealand’s scoring rate.
Rohit Sharma’s Explosive Start
Rohit once again showed why he is one of the best in ICC tournaments, setting the tone with an aggressive 76 off 80 balls.
KL Rahul’s Ice-Cold Finish
With wickets falling around him, Rahul played the perfect finishing role, ensuring India sealed their third Champions Trophy title with confidence.
New Zealand’s Resilient Fight
Despite being underdogs, New Zealand’s bowlers, especially Rachin Ravindra and Mitchell Santner, kept them in the game, making India work hard for their victory.
India’s ICC Dominance Continues
With this Champions Trophy triumph, India cements itself as the most dominant team in world cricket today.
- India has won 22 of their last 23 completed ICC matches.
- They have reached the final in 4 consecutive ICC events (WTC Final 2023, ODI World Cup 2023, T20 World Cup 2024, Champions Trophy 2025).
- They now hold two ICC trophies, showcasing their all-format supremacy.
What’s Next?
With the T20 World Cup 2026 up next, India will look to continue their golden run. Can they add another trophy to their cabinet? Only time will tell.
Final Thoughts
India’s perfect blend of experience, skill, and depth was on full display in the Champions Trophy 2025 final. Their spin attack dismantled New Zealand, while Rohit Sharma’s brilliance and KL Rahul’s finishing touch ensured a historic win.
This victory not only avenges their heartbreak in the 2023 ODI World Cup final but also re-establishes India as the powerhouse of international cricket.
India, Champions Again! 🏆
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