On Sunday, March 9, 2025, India clinched the ICC Champions Trophy by defeating New Zealand in a thrilling final at the Dubai International Stadium. This victory marked India's third Champions Trophy title, reaffirming their dominance in international cricket.
New Zealand's Innings: A Steady Start
New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat first. Openers Rachin Ravindra and Will Young provided a solid foundation, adding 57 runs for the first wicket. Ravindra was particularly aggressive, scoring 37 runs off 29 balls. However, India's spin attack soon tightened the screws. Varun Chakaravarthy made the initial breakthrough by trapping Young leg-before-wicket for 15. Kuldeep Yadav then showcased his prowess by dismissing Ravindra with a deceptive googly and soon after sent back New Zealand's captain, Kane Williamson, for 11 runs. reuters.comtimesofindia.indiatimes.com+2timesofindia.indiatimes.com+2timesofindia.indiatimes.com+2espn.intimesofindia.indiatimes.com+2timesofindia.indiatimes.com+2reuters.com+2timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Middle Order Resistance
Despite the setbacks, Daryl Mitchell anchored the innings with a patient 63 off 101 balls. He found support from Glenn Phillips, who contributed 34 runs. The duo steadied the ship, but India's bowlers maintained pressure, making run-scoring challenging. Michael Bracewell provided a late surge, scoring an unbeaten 53 off 40 balls, propelling New Zealand to a total of 251 for 7 in their allotted 50 overs. espn.in+2timesofindia.indiatimes.com+2reuters.com+2
India's Bowling Performance
India's bowlers delivered a disciplined performance. Kuldeep Yadav was the standout, claiming 2 wickets for 40 runs. Varun Chakaravarthy also impressed with figures of 2 for 45. Ravindra Jadeja was economical, conceding just 30 runs in his 10 overs and picking up a wicket. Mohammed Shami, despite being expensive, managed to dismiss Mitchell. timesofindia.indiatimes.com+1timesofindia.indiatimes.com+1
India's Chase: A Commanding Start
Chasing 252, India began assertively. Captain Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill put up a 50-run partnership in just 7.2 overs. Rohit was in sublime form, dominating the bowlers with his stroke play. timesofindia.indiatimes.com+8reuters.com+8espn.in+8espn.in
Middle Order Contributions
After Rohit's dismissal, Virat Kohli took charge, playing a composed innings. He was well-supported by Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul. The middle order ensured that India remained on track, rotating the strike effectively and punishing loose deliveries.timesofindia.indiatimes.com+1thetimes.co.uk+1
The Winning Moment
Hardik Pandya played a crucial cameo towards the end, accelerating the scoring rate. His aggressive approach reduced the pressure, and India inched closer to the target. The winning runs were scored in the 48th over, sealing a memorable victory for the team.
Key Performances
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Rohit Sharma: Set the tone with a brisk start, laying a solid foundation for the chase.
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Virat Kohli: Anchored the innings with his experience, ensuring stability.
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Kuldeep Yadav: His pivotal wickets disrupted New Zealand's momentum.
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Michael Bracewell: His late innings surge gave New Zealand a fighting total.timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Match Summary
| Team | Score | Top Scorer | Best Bowler |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 251/7 (50 overs) | Daryl Mitchell (63) | Kuldeep Yadav (2/40) |
| India | 252/5 (47.3 overs) | Virat Kohli (85) | Michael Bracewell (1/45) |
Post-Match Reactions
Captain Rohit Sharma expressed immense pride in his team's performance, highlighting their resilience and teamwork throughout the tournament. He credited the bowlers for setting up the victory by restricting New Zealand to a manageable total.
New Zealand's captain, Kane Williamson, acknowledged India's superiority on the day but praised his team's efforts and sportsmanship.
Conclusion
India's comprehensive victory in the Champions Trophy final underscores their status as a powerhouse in international cricket. The blend of experienced campaigners and young talents has created a formidable unit poised for continued success in future tournaments.reuters.com
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