India clinched their third ICC Champions Trophy title by defeating New Zealand by four wickets in a thrilling final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, March 9, 2025. This victory not only reaffirmed India’s dominance in white-ball cricket but also provided redemption after their runner-up finish in the 2023 World Cup.
New Zealand, opting to bat first, posted a competitive total of 251 runs. Key contributions came from Daryl Mitchell, who scored 63 runs, and Michael Bracewell, who added 53 runs. India’s spinners, led by Kuldeep Yadav (2/40) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/45), were instrumental in restricting New Zealand’s scoring opportunities.
In response, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma anchored the chase with a stellar 76-run innings. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, India maintained composure. Shreyas Iyer’s 48 and KL Rahul’s unbeaten 34 provided crucial support. The chase concluded with Ravindra Jadeja hitting the winning runs, securing the title with six balls to spare.
This triumph marked India’s second consecutive global title, following their World Test Championship victory in 2024. The team’s consistent performance throughout the tournament, culminating in an unbeaten campaign, solidified their status as the world’s premier white-ball team.
However, India’s success was achieved under unique circumstances. All their matches were played in spin-friendly Dubai, avoiding tours to host nation Pakistan due to political tensions. This arrangement led to discussions about the fairness of their home advantage.
New Zealand, despite the absence of key pacer Matt Henry, fought valiantly. Rachin Ravindra’s consistent performances earned him the Player of the Tournament award.
India’s Champions Trophy victory adds to their illustrious cricketing legacy, highlighting their resilience and dominance in international cricket.
