India secured their third Champions Trophy title with a hard-fought four-wicket victory over New Zealand in Dubai, reaffirming their dominance in white-ball cricket. The match, played under the floodlights of a packed stadium, saw a thrilling contest as India overcame a late fightback to claim the title with an over to spare.
Chasing a target of 252, India began their innings with confidence. Rohit Sharma, who has been in stellar form throughout the tournament, led from the front, scoring a fluent 76 off 83 balls. He and Shubman Gill put together a commanding 105-run opening stand, seemingly setting India on course for an easy chase. However, New Zealand clawed back into the game with a series of quick wickets.
Gill was dismissed for 31 after a spectacular one-handed catch by Glenn Phillips, his third of the tournament. Shortly after, Virat Kohli fell lbw to Michael Bracewell for a solitary run. Rohit’s innings also came to an end when he was stumped off Rachin Ravindra, leaving India suddenly vulnerable.
With three wickets lost for just 17 runs, the chase required composure. Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel steadied the innings with a 61-run partnership, but both departed while attempting to accelerate. Iyer’s 48 and Axar’s 29 helped maintain control, yet the tension remained as India still needed 49 runs from 51 balls.
India’s depth in batting ensured that the required run rate never spiraled out of control. Hardik Pandya contributed 18 valuable runs, but after his dismissal, it was KL Rahul who remained unbeaten on 34, keeping the chase on track.
The final moments of the match saw Ravindra Jadeja at the crease, fittingly hitting the winning runs. With that, the Indian team erupted in celebration, joined by their passionate supporters in Dubai. Fireworks lit up the sky as players rushed onto the field, celebrating their first Champions Trophy triumph since 2013.
Earlier in the day, New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat. They started aggressively, reaching 57-0 in eight overs, but struggled once India’s spinners entered the attack. Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav turned the tide by dismissing key batters, restricting New Zealand’s ability to build partnerships.
Ravindra, after surviving a caught-behind appeal, was eventually bowled by Kuldeep for 37. The Indian spinner then removed Kane Williamson for 11, forcing New Zealand onto the back foot. Tom Latham was trapped lbw by Jadeja, while Phillips, after an aggressive 34, was bowled by Chakravarthy. Daryl Mitchell, who top-scored with 63 off 101 balls, played a cautious innings but struggled to accelerate.
Michael Bracewell provided late resistance, smashing 53 off 40 balls with three fours and two sixes. However, New Zealand’s total of 251-7 felt underwhelming given their start. India’s spin trio of Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, and Ravindra Jadeja ensured the scoring rate remained in check, restricting boundaries and drying up the runs in the middle overs.
This victory further cements India’s status as the best white-ball cricket team in the world. After finishing as runners-up in the 2023 ODI World Cup, India bounced back to win the T20 World Cup last year, ending a 13-year trophy drought. Now, with another ICC trophy added to their collection, the team has proven its strength across formats.
The squad, led by Rohit Sharma, was backed by a fiercely supportive crowd in Dubai, turning the neutral venue into a virtual home ground. The win also provides additional silverware for stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who were determined to leave a lasting legacy in Indian cricket.
With the next T20 World Cup co-hosted by India in 2026, the question remains: how can other teams match India’s consistency? The squad boasts a strong mix of experienced players and rising stars, ensuring sustained success. Virat Kohli praised the emerging talent in the squad, emphasizing that young players are pushing Indian cricket in the right direction.
New Zealand, on the other hand, continues to struggle in ICC tournament finals, having lost their fourth in white-ball cricket since 2015. Captain Mitchell Santner acknowledged that the team was around 20 runs short of a competitive total, adding that India’s spinners made a significant difference.
While New Zealand fought valiantly, India’s superior depth and adaptability ensured they remained ahead throughout the chase. With another ICC title secured, the rest of the cricketing world must now figure out how to bridge the gap with Team India.
