The Indian cricket team edged past New Zealand in a tense encounter by four wickets to claim the 2025 Champions Trophy title in Dubai. India claimed the prestigious ICC ODI event for the third time on Sunday. Credit should go to New Zealand for making this affair a stern contest with just 251 runs on the board. Both sides bowled plenty of spin on a slow surface in Dubai. India were eventual winners, finishing the tourney on a high and remaining unbeaten throughout.
Rohit Sharma (76) and Shubman Gill (31) shared a massive opening stand worth 105 runs as India was looking to chase a target of 252. Rohit led the show with a rapid 41-ball fifty. From 105/0, India were reduced to 122/3. A quality stand from Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel bailed India out before a composed knock from KL Rahul saw the side home. For New Zealand, Michael Bracewell picked 2/28.
Earlier, New Zealand elected to bat with Rachin Ravindra (37) and Will Young (15) sharing a positive 57-run stand. However, India’s spinners made a comeback, removing both openers and Kane Williamson (11) in six overs. Daryl Mitchell played a hard-working hand to reach his fifty. Bracewell’s blitz (53* from 40 balls) helped NZ reach 251/7.
For India, Kuldeep Yadav (2-40) and Varun Chakravarthy (2-45) were the pick of the bowlers. Despite India’s consistent wickets, Bracewell’s knock at the death was essential. NZ were about 20 runs short, as Santner mentioned afterwards, but credit to them for causing India issues.
Here are 3 key moments that defined the contest.
Kuldeep Yadav’s mastery a turning point
Credit should go to Rohit, who, after bringing on Chakravarthy, decided to hand Kuldeep the ball rather than his regular option, Axar Patel. Wrist-spin rather than finger spin did the trick even for the 1st wicket when Will Young was sent packing by Chakravarthy. Rohit sensed the same and gave Kuldeep a chance who came into this contest being the least effective spinner for India.
Rachin Ravindra was going well for NZ, and his fiery start ensured a swift opening stand. The southpaw has made rapid strides by delivering big in ICC events and Kuldeep was on the money on ball 1. A googly on middle, saw the batter fail to pick it as he went on the back foot to punch but saw the ball go through the bat-pad gap. Notably, the ball flicked the back leg before going on to crash the stumps. This was superb from Kuldeep, who helped India get rid of the dangerous Ravindra for 37 from 29 balls,
Kuldeep wasn’t done there. He got another big fish in the form of Kane Williamson in the 2nd ball of his 2nd over. Kuldeep read Williamson well and tossed the ball up nicely to see the latter offer a catch while going for a drive. In his 1st over, Kuldeep almost got Williamson off a similar ball. Across six ODI innings, Kuldeep has got Williamson thrice at 18.33.
Rohit and Gill’s stand sets the tone for India
India needed a fine start after NZ got to a respectable 251/7. The last time during the group stage clash, Kyle Jamieson and Matt Henry pegged India back, losing their front three wickets for just 30 runs. But here, without Henry, it helped India cash in.
Rohit hit the 2nd ball he faced in the first over for a six and one got the feeling this could be his day. This was vintage Rohit, who played at his aggressive best, targeting the Kiwi pacers and unsettling them. India were 64/0 in the first 10 overs with Rohit on 49. Notably, Gill played the supporting role and took his time. Rohit’s blitz allowed the same.
In the 18th over, the 100-plus stand was completed before Gill perished for 31 runs from 50 balls. The 105-run stand was a spectacular effort from India’s point of view. This helped India lay the platform and not have batters coming in to do the heavy lifting.
Notably, Rohit became the fourth captain in the ICC Champions Trophy finals to hit a 50-plus score. This is also the third stand of 100-plus for the opening wicket in the Champions Trophy finals, highlighting the impetus of the same.
Glenn Phillips’ superhuman effort brings NZ back
Glenn Phillips is a three-dimensional player. He has been consistent with the bat in his hand and the fielding. Having already taken a brilliant catch off Kohli in the Group A contest, Phillips pulled off superhuman stuff this time to send Gill back.
In his sixth over, skipper Santer got Gill, whose shot looked destined for a four. But out of nowhere, Phillips pulled off a blinder. Gill, who was settling in nicely, looked to unleash a powerful drive through the covers. But Phillips intervened as he leaped to his right and caught the ball one-handed mid-air, leaving Gill stunned. Out of nowhere, New Zealand got a wicket and that changed the match’s complexion.
Kohli came in and was out moments later in the 20th over which led to NZ dominating the period that followed. India, who were 108/2 after 20 overs, managed 14 runs in the next six overs. Rohit, who was on song prior to that, was forced to go in a shell. It’s not his game to play singles and hang in there. This led to a premature big shot which cost him his wicket as India were reduced to 122/3. India’s runs tally remained 14 runs off 7 overs now since the 20th. Credit to Phillips for bringing in life from NZ’s point of view, which helped the side make this a stern contest; otherwise, Rohit and Gill would have taken them for more runs. This catch will be remembered for ages.
