India secured another global cricket title by defeating New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final with a four-wicket victory. The match, held in Dubai, saw Rohit Sharma lead the chase with a commanding 76 off 83 balls, while Lokesh Rahul’s steady 34 not out helped India reach 254-6 in 49 overs, sealing their third Champions Trophy win.
Jubilant celebrations erupted across Indian cities, including Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Chennai, and Guwahati. Earlier in the match, New Zealand, opting to bat first, posted a competitive 251-7 in 50 overs, aided by half-centuries from Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell. The slow, two-paced pitch made scoring challenging, but Mitchell anchored the innings with 63 runs off 101 balls, while Bracewell’s late surge (53 off 40) pushed New Zealand past 250.
Sharma set the tone for India’s innings with a six off the second ball and followed it up with seven fours and three sixes. Despite losing partners at regular intervals, India kept its momentum, with Shreyas Iyer (48) and Axar Patel (29) contributing crucial runs. New Zealand’s fielding brilliance was evident, with Glenn Phillips pulling off a spectacular catch to dismiss Shubman Gill, while Michael Bracewell trapped Virat Kohli lbw for just one run.
As the game neared its climax, India needed 51 off 51 balls. Hardik Pandya’s 18 off 18 balls added valuable support, but after his dismissal, Rahul ensured there were no late surprises, steering India to victory. Ravindra Jadeja sealed the win with a boundary.
This victory marked India’s second ICC trophy in two years, following their T20 World Cup triumph against South Africa. Over the last 24 ICC tournament matches, India has won 23, with their only loss coming against Australia in the 2023 World Cup final.
New Zealand, which previously won this tournament in 2000, fought hard but fell short. Their journey included wins against Pakistan and Bangladesh before facing India in the final. Captain Mitchell Santner acknowledged India’s dominance, particularly praising Sharma’s match-winning performance.
India remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, defeating Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand in the group stage before overcoming Australia in the semifinal. The team’s success was built on a blend of aggressive batting, disciplined bowling, and resilience under pressure.
