DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — India has clinched the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, defeating New Zealand by four wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, March 9, 2025. The victory marks India’s third Champions Trophy title, adding to their previous wins in 2002 and 2013, as they continue to showcase their dominance in men’s one-day cricket.
Chasing 252 runs, Indian captain Rohit Sharma set the foundation with his solid innings of 76 runs off 83 balls. He helped India achieve 254 runs for the loss of 6 wickets, crossing the finish line with six balls to spare. The match was filled with excitement and tension as India initially lost wickets at key moments, but steady performances from KL Rahul, who scored 34 not out, and Ravindra Jadeja, who hit the winning boundary, ensured the team's triumph.
The Black Caps, led by captain Mitchell Santner, elected to bat first after winning the toss. They posted 251 runs for 7 wickets, with significant contributions from Daryl Mitchell, who scored 63 runs, and Michael Bracewell, who provided late aggression with 53 runs not out. Despite their efforts, New Zealand's total proved insufficient against India's formidable batting lineup.
India's innings started brightly, as Rohit Sharma provided the perfect start with aggressive intent. He reached his half-century within 41 balls, significantly impacting the momentum of the game. His partnership with Shubman Gill, who scored 31 runs, was worth 105 runs, laying the groundwork for the chase.
After losing soft wickets due to misjudgments and excellent fielding from New Zealand, including Glen Phillips’ remarkable catch to dismiss Gill, India found themselves under pressure at 203 for 5. But the calm and composed Rahul and Jadeja ensured India sailed through the rough waters, showcasing the impressive depth of the Indian batting arsenal.
Rohit Sharma was later named Player of the Match for his outstanding performance and leadership throughout the game. Following the match, he expressed gratitude to the Indian fans who turned up to support, saying, "I want to appreciate everyone who came out and supported us. The crowd here has been magnificent... It is not our home ground but they made our home ground. The number of people who came here to watch us play, to give them this win was satisfying." His remark underlined the connection between the team and fans, even when playing outside India.
It’s also worth noting the contribution of India’s bowlers, particularly the spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy, who both took 2 wickets each and put pressure on New Zealand throughout their innings. Their combined efforts helped restrict the scoring rate and dismantled the batting order, showcasing India's spin dominance on the slow, two-paced pitch.
New Zealand’s innings began steadily, with the opening pair of Rachin Ravindra and Will Young putting up 57 runs. Their partnership was broken as Kuldeep played his part by cleaning up Ravindra for 37 on the first delivery he bowled. With the batting order faltering, Daryl Mitchell stood out with his composed innings, becoming New Zealand's anchor. Despite their efforts, New Zealand struggled to maintain momentum, suffering from regular fall of wickets.
Commenting on his team's performance, New Zealand captain Santner said, "Credit to the way their spinners bowled... all four of them are world class and they showed it again today. We were maybe around 20 or 25 runs short of what we wanted to get, but we had a total and wanted to fight... and that's what we did." His acknowledgment of India's prowess speaks to the challenges New Zealand faced throughout the match.
India's victory reinforces their status as one of the remarkable teams, now holding 23 victories out of 24 matches across their last three ICC tournaments, indicating not just skill but consistency at the highest level of competitive cricket. The reelection of Rohit Sharma as captain following setbacks from the World Cup tournament indicates India has learned and adapted following previous defeats, crafting strategies and executing them flawlessly.
The final delivered not just results, but also memorable moments, encapsulating the thrill of international cricket. From Rohit Sharma's exciting batting to the spin bowling excellence, each part of the game contributed to showcase India’s current form as truly unbeatable. The celebrations rolled through Indian cities like Ahmedabad and Mumbai as fans rejoiced their team's latest conquest.