India's cricket team clinched its third ICC Champions Trophy title with a thrilling victory against New Zealand, marking another milestone for the reigning world champions. The final, held at the Dubai International Stadium on March 9, 2025, showcased India's dominance as they chased down New Zealand's target with six balls to spare, securing the victory by four wickets.
Under the capable leadership of skipper Rohit Sharma, who scored 76 runs, India finished the match with their score reaching 254 for six. New Zealand had set the stage with their 251 for seven run total, but India proved it was more than capable of handling the pressure. This win not only redeems the team after past disappointments but also emphasizes their status as the current powerhouse of white-ball cricket.
Prior to this tournament, India had faced heartbreaks, including losses to Pakistan during the 2017 Champions Trophy final at The Oval and to Australia during the 2023 World Cup final hosted in Ahmedabad. A victory here serves as sweet relief and reinvigorates the fans who have remained loyal through tough times.
Rohit's leadership saw him replicate past strategies successfully, echoing the tactical decisions made under former captain MS Dhoni. It was Dhoni who promoted Rohit to open the batting during the 2013 Champions Trophy when India last won the title. Sharma's role was pivotal as he demonstrated perfect timing and shot selection throughout the tournament.
Rohit expressed his gratitude to the fans, acknowledging the amount of support they showed during the match. "The crowd has been magnificent. It's not our home ground but they've made it our home ground," he commented during the presentation ceremony, after being named the Player of the Match.
New Zealand put forth a commendable performance throughout the tournament but faced challenges without their leading bowler, Matt Henry, who was absent due to injury. Opting to bat first, the Kiwis had hoped to set up a respectable total. Despite not being as high as many would have preferred, they could have walked away proud of their efforts as they consistently gave tough competition to their rivals.
Both teams showed incredible spinning ability, with India employing their secret weapon: their multi-pronged spin attack. Throughout the matches, Indian spinners Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel collectively dominated, with Chakravarthy leading the charge, capturing nine wickets across the tournament.
The spin bowlers managed to bag 38 of the 50 overs played against New Zealand, solidifying India’s strategy of ‘spin-to-win.’ This approach, particularly executed well on the Dubai pitch, played directly to India's strengths, as the conditions amplified their spin bowling game.
Although some critics questioned the fairness of contesting all of India's matches at the same venue, claiming it provided them with an unfair advantage, Rohit dismissed these allegations, insisting it was all about the hard work the team had put in.
With this victory, India now boasts remarkable statistics, sealing 22 of their last 23 completed matches within ICC tournaments, the only exception being their loss to Australia in the 2023 World Cup final. This compelling resume attests to India's prowess and potential future successes.
Meanwhile, the young all-rounder Rachin Ravindra of New Zealand stood out, being named the Player of the Tournament for his commendable performance, where he emerged as the leading run-scorer.
The tournament culminated with India affirming its legacy within cricket, successfully overcoming past failures, and cementing its place as one of the dominant forces within the sport. New Zealand’s efforts should not go unnoticed, as they too battled fiercely showcasing their skills and resilience.
On returning home, Indian fans can celebrate this achievement as the latest chapter of triumph, rewriting narratives of the past with pride. The victory resonates with deep connections to the passionate cricket fanbase, bringing the nation together once again.