Introduction

Champions India’s historic victory is witnessed by the Dubai International Cricket Stadium where India won the trophy by defeating New Zealand by 4 wickets in the final. With this, India won the ICC Champions Trophy for the third time(2002, 2013 onwards). For India, this was not just a win, but an opportunity to show yet another dominance in ICC tournaments. ICC T-20 World Cup in 2024 and champions trophy in 2025. Rohit Sharma’s captaincy is once again in limelight after ICC men’s cricket world cup 2023.

Toss & Team Line-ups

The match started with the toss, and once again Rohit Sharma loose the toss for 12 consecutive times. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and decided to bat. Dubai’s pitch is spin friendly and will get slower with the second half so they thought that putting India under pressure by setting target on the board.
🔹 New Zealand Playing XI: Rachin Ravindra, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (C), Nathan Smith, Kyle Jamieson, William ORourke

🔹 India Playing XI: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Mohammed Shami.

New Zealand’s Innings – A Fighting Total

New Zealand made a solid start, with Rachin Ravindra and Will Young adding 50+ runs in the opening partnership. And both of them were looking quite good in touch but they were not able to move forward with India’s spin to win concept and when the 1st powerplay ended, both of the opener and their pillar Kane Williamson gave the wicket to our spinner. In the face of slow pitch and India spin bowling attack, they somehow scored 251 runs in 50 overs.
Top Performers for New Zealand:
Daryl Mitchell – 63(101) (A responsible innings against dangerous spin attack)
Michael Bracewell– 53 (40) (Explosive batting at end)
Varun and Kuldeep took crucial wickets, due to which New Zealand’s momentum slowed down. Jadega and Axar bowled very tight due to which they could not make a big total.

India’s Chase – Interesting chase

India’s chase has been a roller-coaster ride. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill started fast and made a partnership of 100+ and Captain Rohit Sharma was looking in a different style. But Gill’s fine catch on Santner’s ball was taken by Glen Phillips and in the next over Kohli was lbw by Bracewell and the match got stuck there its a time for nail biting.
But Axar Patel and Shreyas Iyer managed the innings in the middle overs, and in the last over Pandya and Rahul opened a sensible knock and won the match by 4 wickets.
Key Moments in Chase:
Rohit Sharma’s innings of 76 runs became the foundation of victory.
Shreyas Iyer and Kl Rahul Sensible Knock ended the match with winning note.

Match-Winning Performances & Turning Points

India’s Heroes:
Rohit Sharma (76 runs) – Captain is leading from front.
Shreyas Iyer (48) – Shows strong determination in middle overs
Kuldeep Yadav (2/40) & Varun Chakaravarthy(2/45) – Brilliant bowlings figure in High Pressure Match.
New Zealand’s Best Performers:
Daryl Mitchell (63 runs) – He stood there against best spin attack.
Mitchell Santner (c)(2/46) – He tried his best with needs more support from othres.
Turning Point: Kuldeep’s wicket in back to back over of Rachin and Williamson and Iyer sensible knock while chasing.

Reactions & Celebrations

Rohit Sharma (India Captain):
“The boys in the team have managed to put that aside and just focus on how to win games and how to enjoy the game.” And also denied rumors of getting retired from the ODDI.
Mitchel Santner(NZ Captain)
“It’s been a good tournament. We have been challanged along the way. We lost to a better side today. Everyone contributed to the tournament and put their hands up at different times.”

Records & Achievements

📌 3rd Champions Trophy title for India (2002, 2013, 2025).
📌 Rohit Sharma becomes Captain to win two ICC title(Champions and T-20 World Cup).
📌 Rachin Ravindra won the title of player of the tournament in ICC Champions trophy 2025.