Rohit Sharma played a match-winning knock, scoring a vital fifty as India defeated New Zealand by four wickets in the Champions Trophy 2025 final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing a target of 252, India reached the finish line with six wickets down and six balls to spare, securing their third Champions Trophy title, the most by any team in the tournament's history.
India got off to a strong start as openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill built a solid 105-run partnership in 18.3 overs before Gill was dismissed for 31 off 50 balls. Virat Kohli joined Rohit but could only manage one run in two balls before losing his wicket.
Shreyas Iyer then partnered with Rohit Sharma, but the skipper’s impressive 76 off 83 balls came to an end on the very first delivery of the 26th over, with India at 122/3. Iyer, alongside Axar Patel, built a crucial 61-run stand, taking India to 183/4 in 38.3 overs before Iyer departed after scoring 48 off 62 balls.
As KL Rahul arrived at the crease, Axar Patel fell for 29 off 40 balls, leaving India needing 49 runs to seal the win. Hardik Pandya then played a quick cameo, scoring 18 off 18 deliveries, forming a vital 38-run partnership with KL Rahul.
With India needing just 11 runs off the final 15 balls, Ravindra Jadeja joined KL Rahul at the crease, ensuring a comfortable finish as India lifted the Champions Trophy 2025 in style.
Rahul remained unbeaten on 34 as India chased down the 252-run target in 49 overs.
Earlier, Daryl Mitchell scored an anchoring fifty as New Zealand set a 252-run target for India in the Champions Trophy 2025 final.
Opening batters Will Young and Rachin Ravindra looked solid after New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first in the ultimate game of the tournament.
India’s Varun Chakravarthy got the first breakthrough for his team when he dismissed Young on 15 off 23. His opening partner Rachin Ravindra soon followed him to the dugout after scoring 37 off 29 as New Zealand lost both their openers on 69 in 10 overs.
Experienced batter Kane Williamson’s short stay of 11 at the crease was ended by Kuldeep Yadav, bringing Tom Latham to join Daryl Mitchell at the crease.
However, Latham departed after scoring 14 off 30 deliveries, leaving New Zealand struggling at 108 for the loss of four wickets in the Champions Trophy 2025 final.
Glenn Phillips was then involved in a crucial 57-run partnership with Daryl Mitchell to take his side to 165 before his dismissal after making 34 off 52 deliveries.
Mitchell’s 63 off 101 balls ended in the 45th over when he was caught by Rohit Sharam off Mohammed Shami.
Michael Bracewell played an unbeaten 53-run knock as New Zealand finished their inning at 251/7 in 50 overs.
For India, Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav took two wickets each while Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja picked up apiece.
India reached the finals by beating Australia by four wickets in the first semi-final played in Dubai while New Zealand booked their spot in the grand finale by beating South Africa in Lahore.
India is playing the Champions Trophy 2025 final with an unchanged team, while NZ team has made one change.
