India secured a dramatic four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy final in Dubai on March 10, 2025, reinforcing their dominance in white-ball cricket. Led by Rohit Sharma, India chased down New Zealand’s 251 for seven with an over to spare, becoming the first team to win the prestigious tournament three times (2002, 2013, and now 2025). The match, characterized by spin dominance and moments of brilliance, showcased India’s depth, resilience, and ability to perform under pressure in front of a passionate crowd.

New Zealand, having won the toss and opted to bat, started strongly with openers Will Young and Rachin Ravindra putting together a 57-run stand. However, Rohit Sharma’s tactical decisions altered the momentum when he introduced spin in the sixth over. Varun Chakravarthy made the breakthrough by trapping Young lbw for 15, and Kuldeep Yadav’s craftiness accounted for Ravindra (37), bowled by a deceptive googly, and Kane Williamson (11), who chipped a return catch. At 75 for three, New Zealand’s promising start began to unravel.

Ravindra Jadeja added to their troubles by dismissing Tom Latham lbw for 14, exposing the middle order. Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips attempted to stabilize the innings with a 53-run fifth-wicket partnership, but scoring proved difficult, with New Zealand managing just four boundaries in the middle overs—the lowest in the tournament. Phillips (34) fell to Chakravarthy’s sharp googly, and Mitchell’s gritty 63 off 101 balls ended when he picked out Rohit Sharma at cover off Mohammed Shami. Michael Bracewell provided a much-needed counterattack, smashing 53 off 39 balls, including three fours and two sixes, to lift New Zealand to 251 for seven. However, a late run-out of captain Mitchell Santner (8) ensured that the total remained below par on a pitch favoring spin.

India’s chase started in explosive fashion as Rohit Sharma dispatched Kyle Jamieson for a six off the second ball. The Indian captain dominated the early exchanges, taking 21 runs off Nathan Smith’s first two overs and racing to a half-century off just 50 balls by the 11th over. Shubman Gill (31), dropped on six by Mitchell, provided support with a six off Ravindra, and the duo built a commanding 105-run opening stand—the first century partnership in a Champions Trophy final.

New Zealand’s spinners, however, staged a spirited comeback. Glenn Phillips’ stunning one-handed catch at extra cover removed Gill off Santner’s bowling. Three balls later, Michael Bracewell trapped Virat Kohli lbw for one, and Rohit (76) was stumped off Ravindra’s spin, suddenly leaving India at 108 for three. The pendulum swung again as Shreyas Iyer (48) and Axar Patel (29) rebuilt with a crucial 61-run partnership. Iyer, dropped by Jamieson at long-on, responded with a powerful six off Phillips but eventually fell to Santner, while Axar holed out to Bracewell, reducing India to 203 for five with 49 runs still needed off 51 balls.

With the required rate creeping above a run per ball, Hardik Pandya’s towering six off Ravindra in the 46th over shifted the momentum back to India. Though Pandya (18) fell to Jamieson with 11 runs left, KL Rahul (34 not out) held firm. Fittingly, it was Ravindra Jadeja (9 not out), a stalwart of India’s white-ball era, who struck the winning runs off his hip with six balls to spare, sparking wild celebrations as fireworks lit up the Dubai sky.

Spin proved to be the decisive factor in the match. India’s trio of Chakravarthy (2 for 44), Yadav (2 for 40), and Jadeja (1 for 38) effectively stifled New Zealand’s batting lineup, restricting them to two separate 10-over spells without a boundary. While New Zealand’s spinners—Bracewell (2 for 28), Santner, and Ravindra—fought back valiantly to claim five Indian wickets, India’s batting depth and adaptability ultimately saw them through.

This victory, following their 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, solidifies India’s dominance in limited-overs cricket. Undefeated throughout the tournament, they thrived in Dubai’s familiar conditions despite the absence of a final in Lahore due to their refusal to travel to Pakistan. For veterans like Rohit, Kohli, and Jadeja, this third Champions Trophy title adds to their legacy and helps soften the disappointment of the 2023 ODI World Cup final loss to Australia. With the 2026 T20 World Cup looming on home soil, India’s combination of experience and emerging talent presents a formidable challenge to their rivals.

New Zealand, despite yet another white-ball final defeat—their fourth since 2015—demonstrated resilience throughout the tournament. Mitchell’s anchoring role and Bracewell’s late flourish kept them competitive, but the absence of their leading wicket-taker Matt Henry due to a shoulder injury and their struggles against spin ultimately proved costly. Phillips’ brilliance in the field and Santner’s steady leadership were highlights in what was a valiant, yet ultimately unsuccessful, campaign.

Scorecard Summary

New Zealand: 251/7 in 50 overs (Daryl Mitchell 63, Michael Bracewell 53*; Kuldeep Yadav 2/40)
India: 254/6 in 49 overs (Rohit Sharma 76, Shreyas Iyer 48; Michael Bracewell 2/28)
Result: India won by 4 wickets

In a tournament overshadowed by logistical controversies, this tense finale provided a fitting climax, reaffirming India’s status as the undisputed powerhouse of white-ball cricket while leaving the rest of the cricketing world pondering how to dethrone them.
[Submitted by Kevin Rademeyer]