Dubai, March 9 - India emerged victorious in the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand, claiming the coveted title after a thrilling 4-wicket win at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The victory ended an eight-year drought for India, marking their second Champions Trophy win since 2013.

New Zealand, batting first after winning the toss, posted a challenging total of 251/7 in 50 overs. In response, India successfully chased down the target, scoring 254/6 in 49 overs, thanks to stellar performances by skipper Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul.

India’s Dominance in the Final

India continued their streak of playing in consecutive Champions Trophy finals, having reached the title match in 2013, 2017, and now in 2025. After losing to Pakistan in the 2017 final, India regained their dominance with this resounding victory.

On a Dubai pitch where a 250+ total is often considered competitive, India’s batting depth proved crucial. Chasing 252, captain Rohit Sharma gave India a flying start, partnering with Shubman Gill for a solid 105-run opening stand. Rohit played a crucial knock of 76 off 83 balls, hitting seven fours and three sixes before getting stumped by Tom Latham off Rachin Ravindra’s bowling. Gill contributed 31 runs off 50 balls before falling to a brilliant catch by Glenn Phillips off Mitchell Santner.

Despite losing three quick wickets, including star batter Virat Kohli for just 1 run, India recovered through the resilience of Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel. The duo built a 61-run partnership to stabilize the chase. Shreyas played a composed knock of 48 off 62 balls, while Axar chipped in with 29 off 40 balls.

With the match evenly poised, KL Rahul (34* off 33) and Hardik Pandya (18 off 18) guided India closer to the target. The finishing touch was delivered by Ravindra Jadeja, who smashed a boundary on the final ball of the 49th over to seal the victory for India.

New Zealand’s Fighting Total

Batting first, New Zealand had a steady start with openers Will Young and Rachin Ravindra adding 57 runs for the first wicket. However, India’s bowlers made timely breakthroughs, with Varun Chakravarthy dismissing Young for 15 off 23 balls. Soon after, Rachin Ravindra fell to Kuldeep Yadav’s sharp googly for a well-made 37 off 29 balls.

Kane Williamson, New Zealand’s dependable batter, failed to make an impact, scoring only 11 runs before being trapped LBW by Kuldeep. With three wickets down at 75 runs, New Zealand looked in trouble, but Daryl Mitchell (34 off 52) and Tom Latham (14 off 33) attempted to rebuild. Their 33-run partnership ended when Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Latham.

New Zealand’s innings saw further collapse as Glenn Phillips (34 off 52) and Daryl Mitchell departed in quick succession, leaving the team struggling at 176/6. However, Michael Bracewell played a counter-attacking innings, scoring 53 off just 40 balls, ensuring that New Zealand reached a competitive 251/7. Captain Mitchell Santner contributed 7 runs off 9 balls at the end.

Indian Bowlers Deliver Under Pressure

India’s bowlers maintained control throughout the innings. Varun Chakravarthy was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2 wickets for 45 runs. Kuldeep Yadav also claimed two crucial wickets for 40 runs. Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami picked up one wicket each, keeping the New Zealand batters in check.

A Historic Victory for India

With this thrilling victory, India reaffirmed its dominance in ICC tournaments. Rohit Sharma’s leadership, the team’s balanced performance, and a composed chase under pressure secured India’s place as the Champions Trophy winners once again.

Key Performances:

• India: Rohit Sharma (76), KL Rahul (34*), Shreyas Iyer (48), Axar Patel (29), Kuldeep Yadav (2/40), Varun Chakravarthy (2/45)

• New Zealand: Michael Bracewell (53), Rachin Ravindra (37), Glenn Phillips (34), Mitchell Santner (2/45), Michael Bracewell (2/40)

India’s triumph in the final will be remembered as a masterclass in balancing aggression with patience, marking a golden chapter in Indian cricket history.