Rohit Sharma Leads from the Front as India Lifts Another ICC Title in a Nail-Biting Final
Dubai witnessed an electrifying cricket spectacle as India defeated New Zealand by four wickets in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final, securing their third title in the tournament’s history. A spirited performance by India’s bowlers and a composed chase led by captain Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul ensured that the Men in Blue etched their name in the record books once again.
The match, held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, kept fans on the edge of their seats as both teams displayed exceptional skills and fighting spirit. While New Zealand set a challenging total of 251/7, India’s batters, despite some hiccups, held their nerves to chase the target in 49 overs and claim victory.
New Zealand’s Innings: Mitchell and Bracewell Steady the Ship
After winning the toss, New Zealand opted to bat first, hoping to put up a formidable total on a dry Dubai surface that was expected to assist spinners later in the game.
However, India’s pace attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, gave them an early breakthrough. Opener Devon Conway was dismissed for just 12 runs, while Will Young struggled before falling for 19. New Zealand found themselves at 58/2 in the 12th over, with India applying pressure through tight bowling.
The Kiwis needed a partnership, and they got one in the form of Daryl Mitchell (63 off 74 balls) and *Michael Bracewell (53 off 47 balls)**. Mitchell played a responsible knock, anchoring the innings while rotating the strike smartly. Meanwhile, Bracewell came in towards the latter part of the innings and provided the much-needed acceleration.
Glenn Phillips (34 off 27 balls) played a fiery cameo, smashing a couple of sixes to keep the scoreboard ticking. However, India’s spin duo—Kuldeep Yadav (2/43) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/38)—controlled the middle overs brilliantly, not allowing the Kiwis to break free.
New Zealand finished at 251/7 in 50 overs, a respectable total but perhaps 20-30 runs short of what they initially aimed for.
India’s Chase: Rohit Sharma’s Classic Knock Sets the Stage
Chasing 252 in a high-pressure final, India needed a solid start, and they got exactly that from captain Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. Rohit, known for delivering in big games, played a captain’s knock of 76 off 87 balls, anchoring the innings beautifully.
Gill, on the other hand, looked in good touch before he was dismissed for 31 after a spectacular one-handed catch by Glenn Phillips. Despite this setback, India looked in control, with the scoreboard reading 109/1 in 22 overs.
New Zealand Fight Back: Kohli Falls Early, Middle Order Wobbles
Just when things seemed comfortable for India, Virat Kohli was dismissed cheaply for 1, trapped LBW by Michael Bracewell. His early departure tilted the momentum slightly in New Zealand’s favor.
Shreyas Iyer played a responsible knock of 48, steadying the innings alongside Rohit Sharma. However, just as he was beginning to accelerate, he mistimed a pull shot and was caught at the boundary.
Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya fell in quick succession, leaving India at 245/6 in the 47th over, needing seven runs off 18 balls. With mounting pressure, the game was hanging in the balance.
KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja’s Cool Finish
Wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul, who remained unbeaten on 34, took control of the situation, ensuring India didn’t lose its grip on the game. Alongside Ravindra Jadeja (10), he guided India home with six balls to spare*, sealing a historic victory for the Men in Blue.
The stadium erupted in joy as Jadeja flicked the winning runs towards the boundary, with Indian players rushing onto the field to celebrate yet another ICC triumph.
Post-Match Reactions: Captains Speak on the Final Battle
After the match, Indian captain Rohit Sharma lauded his team’s all-round performance, particularly the spinners and middle-order batters, for holding their nerve under pressure.
“This victory is special. Our bowlers did a fantastic job of restricting New Zealand to 251, and the batters backed it up with a composed chase. Credit to Rahul and Jadeja for finishing it off so calmly.”
New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner reflected on the match, admitting that his team was “probably 20 runs short” and praised India’s execution under pressure.
“We fought hard, but India played better in crucial moments. The spinners made a big difference, and their batting depth helped them cross the finish line.”
India’s Dominance in ICC Tournaments Continues
This victory marked India’s third ICC Champions Trophy title, having previously won in 2002 (shared with Sri Lanka) and 2013. More importantly, this was their second consecutive ICC tournament victory in just nine months, further cementing their dominance in white-ball cricket.
With a squad filled with match-winners and young talents stepping up, India now sets its sights on future global tournaments, aiming to continue their remarkable run in world cricket.