Led by Rohit Sharma’s belligerent fifty upfront, Shreyas Iyer’s cohesive innings in the middle and KL Rahul’s cool and calm approach in the death, India aced New Zealand in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy final held In Dubai on March 9.

In a nerve-wracking tie, that swung from one team to the other, with spinners from both sides having a upper hand during the course of the match, Indian captain got his side’s reply off to an explosive start as he pulled pacer Kyle Jamieson behind square for six off the opening bowler’s second ball.

He took special liking for Nathan Smith accumulating 21 of the 22 runs from his opening two overs to lay the foundation for the successful run chase. Rohit completed his half-century in the 11th over in the company of Shubman Gill who played a supporting role as the pair put on a 105-run partnership for the first wicket, off the 112 balls.

A moment of fielding brilliance by Glenn Phillips who took a stunning one-handed catch off left arm Mitchell Santner to remove Gill for 31. India lost three wickets with further addition of 17 runs including that of Rohit, having reached 76 was stumped off Rachin Ravindra.

Shreyas and Axar Patel’s steady half-century partnership, with the former bringing up the milestone courtesy of a huge six off Phillips ensured India’s pursuit of New Zealand’s total. Dropped of the very next ball by Jamieson, Shreyas dismissal by Santer in the very next over when on 48 and later of south paw Axar for 29 after a mistimed stroke off Michael Bracewell in the 42nd over with 203 runs on the board.

Needing 49 at this stage, with five wickets in hand Rahul and Hardik Pandya’s less than run a ball 36 run swung the balance of the game back in the India’s favour.  Jamieson dismissal of Pandya for 18 in the 48th over, 11 runs short of win added to the pressure, before Ravindra Jadeja (9 n.o.) pulled one to deep square leg boundary for the winning runs in the penultimate over in the company.

Earlier electing to bat first, New Zealand openers Will Young and Rachin Ravindra made a bright start to their innings as openers. Rohit’s decision to introduce spin into the attack in the sixth over, however, allowed the Indian bowlers to put a squeeze on the Kiwis’ progress.

Varun Chakravarthy trapped Young in front for 15 to end the 57 enterprising first wicket stand, before Kuldeep Yadav bowled semi-final centurion Ravindra (37) with a well-disguised googly and followed it up with a key wicket of Kane Williamson in the 13th over to ensure India’s comeback.

Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips compiled a half-century stand for the fifth wicket after being dropped once each saw the pair wrestle back control of the game, in the face of miserly bowling by Indian spinners who had not concede a single boundary for ten overs, following the dismissal of Tom Latham by Ravindra Jadeja.

Following Chakravarthy breakthrough with wicket of Phillips for 34 with googly in the 38th over, Mitchell (63) and Bracewell (53 no.) aggressive approach against the Indian bowlers saw New Zealand cross the 250-run mark in the end, with 35 coming in the last three overs.

Rohit Sharma, India captain was named the Player of the Final.

Brief Scores (Finals):

New Zealand - 251/7 in 50 overs (Daryl Mitchell 63 (101b: 3x4s), Michael Bracewell 53* (40b: 3x4s, 2x6s), Rachin Ravindra 37 (29b: 4x4s, 1x6), Glenn Phillips 34 (52b: 2x4s, 1x6); Varun Chakaravarthy 2/45, Kuldeep Yadav 2/40, Ravindra Jadeja 1/30) lost to India - 254/6 in 49 overs (Rohit Sharma 76 (83b: 7x4s, 3x6s), Shreyas Iyer 48 (62b: 2x4s, 2x6s), KL Rahul 34* (33b: 1x4, 1x6), Shubman Gill 31 (50b: 1x6); Michael Bracewell 2/28, Mitchell Santner 2/46, Kyle Jamieson 1/24) by 4 wickets  and 6 balls to spare. Player of the Match: Rohit Sharma (India); Player of the Series: Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand)

Photo Cover: Indian captain and Player of the Match, Rohit Sharma set the tone with a quick fire 83-ball 76 in the final of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 against New Zealand

Photo Above: Team India led by Rohit Sharma celebrate their success after winning the Champions Trophy (Photo courtesy ICC/ BCCI)