source : ICC
In a thrilling finale at the Dubai International Stadium, India edged past New Zealand by four wickets to lift the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The high-stakes encounter saw Rohit Sharma’s side emerge victorious for the second time in the tournament against the Black Caps, having previously bested them in the group stage. This win solidified India’s unbeaten run in the competition, culminating in a heart-pounding chase of New Zealand’s 251/7.
Chasing 252 for victory, India got off to a blistering start with openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill putting together a commanding 105-run stand. Rohit smashed a swashbuckling 76 off 83 balls, raising hopes for a smooth chase. However, the momentum briefly shifted when Glenn Phillips took a stunning catch to dismiss Gill for 31, and Michael Bracewell trapped Virat Kohli lbw for just 1. Rachin Ravindra further tightened the screws by stumping Rohit, leaving the match hanging in the balance.
New Zealand kept fighting back, picking up crucial wickets at regular intervals. Shreyas Iyer fell agonizingly short of a half-century, dismissed for 48 by Mitchell Santner. Axar Patel’s 29-run knock was cut short by Bracewell, and Hardik Pandya’s quickfire 18 came to an end when Kyle Jamieson took a return catch. With four wickets in hand and 11 runs needed off the final two overs, KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja held their nerve. Jadeja sealed the win in style, smashing a boundary to spark jubilant celebrations among Indian players and fans alike.
Earlier in the day, New Zealand’s innings was a tale of gritty partnerships and a late flourish. Despite a strong start from Will Young and Rachin Ravindra, who rode their luck early on, the Indian spinners soon took control. Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav spun a web around the Kiwi batters, claiming two wickets each and stifling the run rate during the middle overs. Rachin’s brisk 37 and Daryl Mitchell’s patient 63 provided some resistance, while Michael Bracewell’s unbeaten 50 in the final overs lifted New Zealand to a respectable 251/7.
India’s disciplined bowling attack, led by Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep, ensured New Zealand couldn’t break free, restricting their scoring to just 3.30 runs per over between the 11th and 30th overs. The pressure was evident as the Kiwis struggled to find boundaries, with captain Mitchell Santner run out in the penultimate over while pushing for extra runs. Despite their efforts, New Zealand’s total fell just short of posing a serious threat to the formidable Indian batting lineup.
This victory marks a significant moment for Indian cricket, breaking their streak of losses to New Zealand in ICC finals. Having previously stumbled against the Black Caps in the 2000 Champions Trophy and the 2021 World Test Championship, this win not only avenged those heartbreaks but also underscored India’s dominance in the 2025 Champions Trophy. As fireworks lit up the Dubai sky and the team celebrated, it was clear — this was a triumph etched in resilience, strategy, and sheer determination.
