India continued their dominance in international cricket, securing their third ICC Champions Trophy title with a four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the final at the Dubai International Stadium.
The triumph solidified India’s standing as a powerhouse, winning 22 of their last 23 completed ICC tournament matches.
New Zealand made India sweat for the win despite posting a modest total of 251 for 7 after electing to bat. The Indian spinners, who have been a force throughout the tournament, bowled 38 overs between them, conceding only 144 runs while picking up five crucial wickets.
Ravindra Jadeja (10-0-30-1), Kuldeep Yadav (2 wickets), and Varun Chakravarthy (2 wickets) choked the New Zealand middle order, restricting them from capitalising on a quick start.
Rachin Ravindra, the tournament’s leading run-scorer, looked in sublime form at the top of the order, racing to 37 off 29 balls as New Zealand surged to 69 for 1 in the powerplay.
But India’s spin attack struck back, with Kuldeep removing both Ravindra and Kane Williamson in quick succession, forcing the Black Caps into a rebuilding phase. Tom Latham and Daryl Mitchell attempted to stabilise the innings, but Jadeja’s impeccable accuracy cut short their stand.
Mitchell Bracewell’s unbeaten 53 off 40 balls added some late impetus, propelling New Zealand past 250, but it always seemed a few runs short against India’s deep batting lineup.
In reply, India started aggressively, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill putting up a 105-run opening stand in quick time. Rohit, leading from the front, blazed his way to 76, taking the attack to New Zealand’s pacers.
However, the chase wasn’t without hiccups. New Zealand clawed back with three quick wickets, including the prized scalp of Virat Kohli for just one run, triggering a middle-order wobble.
Shreyas Iyer, who had already registered two half-centuries in the tournament, played another stabilising knock, scoring 48 runs while forming a crucial 61-run partnership with Axar Patel. Despite Iyer’s dismissal in the 39th over, the experienced K.L. Rahul (34 not out) and Jadeja kept their composure to guide India home with an over to spare.
This victory marked team India’s redemption from the heartbreaks of the last two ICC finals they had lost, reaffirming their stature as one of the most dominant teams in world cricket.
