India win third Champions Trophy title with four-wicket victory over New Zealand

Bowling first after Rohit lost his 12th straight toss, India's spinners restricted New Zealand to 251 for seven in the allotted 50 overs, with Kuldeep Yadav (2/40) and Varun Chakaravarthy (2/45) making significant contributions with the ball.

Coming into the ICC Champions Trophy final against New Zealand, India had been by far the best team in the tournament. And on a warm Sunday evening in Dubai, the Men In Blue dished out another polished performance to reclaim the trophy after a 12-year gap.

As expected New Zealand pushed India hard in a final where fortunes swung back and forth throughout but Rohit Sharma’s men held their nerve with their collective superiority coming to the fore in grand fashion that saw them emerge champions for the third time with a four-wicket triumph.

Key moments

Dazzling spinners

Spinners have undoubtedly been India’s primary architects this Champions Trophy and it was not surprising they laid the ground work for the victory. First it was mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy (2/45) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/40) who wrecked New Zealand. The Kiwis were off to strong start through Will Young and Rachin Ravindra but Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep applied the brakes. Axar Patel (0/29) and Ravindra Jadeja (1/30) then took over, maintaining the stranglehold in the middle overs as New Zealand struggled to break free, eventually settling for 251/7.

Sizzling skipper

From the 2023 World Cup, Rohit Sharma has led from the front with his all guns blazing from the start. While he was successful in 2023, he couldn’t quite replicate it in Dubai. But great players always cherish the big moments and he set India on course with a fiery 83-ball 76. Aware batting could become harder in the middle phase, he took the onus to take all the risks in the Power Play and flattened New Zealand with his blistering hitting. He departed at the midway stage while going for one shot too many but his foundation was strong enough for the rest to build on.

Matured Iyer, Rahul

India were in a bit of spot at 122/3 with Virat Kohli also back in the hut. The in-form Iyer, however, nicely mixed caution with aggression for his 62-ball 48. His 61-run stand with Axar steadied the ship and it was later taken to safety by KL Rahul. Entrusted the finisher’s role, Rahul stroked a calm unbeaten 34 to silence the critics.

India’s road to final

Group stage

Beat Bangladesh by 6 wickets

Mohammed Shami starred with a five-wicket haul and vice-captain Shubman Gill stroked a delightful unbeaten century as India made the right start to the tournament.

Beat Pakistan by 6 wickets

India have had wood over their neighbours in ICC events and it was no different this time too as Virat Kohli smashed a gorgeous unbeaten century to all but secure their semifinal spot.

Beat New Zealand by 44 runs

Playing his first game of the tournament, wildcard pick Varun Chakarvarthy stamped his authority right away with a 5/42 show that was the corner stone of India’s win.

Semifinal

Beat Australia by 4 wickets

Australia have caused a lot of heart-break for India in ICC events and the Men In Blue were determined to snap that run. King Kohli aced a strong chase with a superb 84

Top performers in the final

Rohit Sharma: 76 runs

Kuldeep Yadav: 2/40

In the tournament

Shreyas Iyer: 243 runs

Varun Chakaravarthy: 9 wkts