India won their third ICC Champions Trophy title after defeating New Zealand in the final by four wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, 9 march 2025. (Match Highlights | Full Coverage | More Cricket News)
The Rohit Sharma-led Indian side chased down a tricky target of 252 runs and clinched the title by remaining unbeaten in the tournament. Indian captain played a 76-run knock and was the highest run-scorer for India in the final.
Shreyas Iyer (48) and Axar Patel (29) also played gritty knocks when India lost three wickets in quick succession. KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya (18) led India's run-chase in the death overs.
Playing XIs
INDIA: Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy.
NEW ZEALAND: Rachin Ravindra, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Will O’Rourke, Nathan Smith, Kyle Jamieson
Rahul made an unbeaten 34 off just 33 balls and kept the scoreboard moving but it was Ravindra Jadeja who hit the winning boundary on the last delivery of the 49th over. He saw the ball crossing the fence and started celebrating on the pitch.
The chase was not easy for India. They lost the wicket of Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli within four deliveries and the momentum shifted to New Zealand's side.
Rohit also threw his wicket while trying for a big shot and the responsibility shifted to Shreyas Iyer. He did well and stitched a 61-run partnership with Axar Patel for the fourth wicket.
After his dismissal, KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya took no time to rush and hit some big shots. Pandya lost his wicket while trying for a six and then Jadeja came to rescue and hit the winning runs.
Earlier, Rohit Sharma lost another toss and was asked to bowl first in the final. India remained unchanged whereas New Zealand made one change - Nathan Smith came in place of the injured Matt Henry.
Rachin Ravindra and Will Young started well and were looking good but Sharma introduced spin early in the sixth over and Varun Chakravarthy dismissed Young in his second over.
Kuldeep Yadav dismissed Ravindra on his first delivery of the match and got rid of the Kane Williamson in his next over. Daryl Mitchell (63) guided the innings by holding the middle-order.
Glenn Phillips (34) and Michael Bracewell (53 not out) took New Zealand past 250 runs and helped Black Caps set a 252-run target for India. It was a respectable total and par score on a dry pitch in Dubai.
Rohit Sharma was named Player of the Match for his match-winning knock while New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra was named Player of the Tournament.
