DUBAI: Rohit Sharma’s match-winning half-century guided India to a thrilling four-wicket win over New Zealand in the Champions Trophy 2025 final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing a target of 252, India sealed the victory with six balls to spare, securing their third Champions Trophy title.
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India started strongly, with openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill putting on a 105-run stand in 18.3 overs before Gill departed for 31 off 50 balls. However, Virat Kohli’s brief stay ended quickly as he fell for just one run.
Shreyas Iyer then partnered with Rohit Sharma, but the Indian captain’s innings of 76 off 83 balls ended in the 26th over with India at 122/3. Iyer and Axar Patel contributed a crucial 61-run stand, bringing the total to 183 before Iyer was dismissed for 48 off 62 balls.
As the chase tightened, Patel added 29 off 40 balls before falling, leaving India needing 49 runs. Hardik Pandya’s 18 off 18 balls, alongside KL Rahul’s steady unbeaten 34, helped India edge closer. Ravindra Jadeja arrived at the crease when India needed 11 runs off 15 balls, and the team reached the target in the final over.
New Zealand’s Innings
Earlier, Daryl Mitchell’s composed 63 off 101 balls helped New Zealand post 251/7 in 50 overs. Openers Will Young (15) and Rachin Ravindra (37) provided a solid start before falling early. Captain Kane Williamson managed just 11 before being dismissed.
Tom Latham (14) and Glenn Phillips (34) tried to rebuild the innings, adding crucial runs alongside Mitchell. Michael Bracewell’s unbeaten 53 in the lower order pushed New Zealand past the 250-run mark.
For India, Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav took two wickets each, while Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja claimed one apiece.
Path to the Final
India reached the final by defeating Australia by four wickets in the semi-finals, while New Zealand overcame South Africa in Lahore.
Playing XIs
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy.
New Zealand: Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Kyle Jamieson, William O’Rourke, Nathan Smith.
Expert Predictions
Ahead of the final, former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri named Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, and Glenn Phillips as key players to watch. He also highlighted Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, and Rachin Ravindra as crucial figures for their teams.
