On Sunday night, India defeated New Zealand in Dubai to win the Champions Trophy for the third time.
Chasing a target of 252 runs, India reached the target with one over to spare. Skipper Rohit Sharma played a crucial role, top-scoring with 76 runs to guide his team to the title.
Rohit Sharma was named Player of the Match for his blistering 76, while New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra earned Player of the Tournament honors for his 263 runs and 3 wickets.
India got off to a solid start with captain Rohit Sharma and opening partner Shubman Gill, who put together a 105-run partnership. Sharma, who had struggled throughout the tournament, found his rhythm and scored a valuable half-century.
However, New Zealand struck first when Mitchell Santner dismissed Gill for 31 off 50 balls, caught by Glenn Phillips. The setback continued as Virat Kohli, in superb form throughout the tournament, was dismissed for just one run. Kohli fell prey to Michael Bracewell’s bowling, leaving India at 107 for 2, putting pressure on the middle order.
Looking set for a big score, Sharma played an explosive knock of 76, including three sixes. But, he was dismissed unusually—caught out of his crease by Ravindra Jadeja’s delivery, with Tom Latham doing the honors behind the stumps, leaving India 122 for 3. At this point, Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel steadied the ship with a crucial 61-run partnership for the fourth wicket, keeping India on track.
Iyer was nearing a well-earned half-century, but Santner struck again, removing Iyer for 48 off 62 balls, despite the batter having been dropped on 46. With India at 183 for 4, the match was finely poised. Bracewell added to New Zealand’s hopes by dismissing Axar Patel, who had contributed 29 runs. With five wickets down, Lokesh Rahul and Hardik Pandya came to the rescue, forming a match-winning partnership.
The duo played crucial knocks as their partnership helped India cross the finish line and seal a memorable victory, securing the Champions Trophy for the third time in the country’s history.
Earlier, New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first in the Champions Trophy final in Dubai. However, they suffered an early blow as fast bowler Matt Henry was ruled out due to a shoulder injury.
India, coming in unchanged after their semi-final victory over Australia, maintained their winning combination with a four-pronged spin attack. The sluggish pitch played into the hands of India’s slow bowlers, with Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav each taking two wickets during the 50 overs.
India, having played all their matches in Dubai due to political tensions and refusal to tour Pakistan, remained unbeaten at the venue, winning all four of their matches there.
New Zealand’s openers began cautiously, but Rachin Ravindra, fresh off a match-winning century against South Africa, took the initiative. He launched into pacer Mohammed Shami with a six and two fours.
However, Ravindra survived two reprieves, with Shami missing a return catch and Shreyas Iyer dropping a tough chance in the deep.
Kuldeep Yadav broke through with a brilliant googly to dismiss Ravindra for 37. Moments later, Kuldeep had Kane Williamson caught and bowled for 11, further denting New Zealand’s hopes.
With the Black Caps at 75-3, Mitchell and wicketkeeper Tom Latham tried to rebuild, taking the score past 100. However, India’s Ravindra Jadeja struck, dismissing Latham for 14, leaving New Zealand at 108-4.
Mitchell, who had been dropped earlier on 38 by Rohit Sharma, stood firm and built partnerships with Glenn Phillips and Michael Bracewell. Phillips made 34 before being bowled by Chakravarthy.
Mitchell fell for 63, caught at extra cover off Shami. Bracewell fought back with an explosive 53, smashing three fours and two sixes.
