India showcased their depth and dominance to secure their third ICC Champions Trophy title, remaining unbeaten for the second consecutive ICC tournament. New Zealand fought valiantly, but India’s quality proved insurmountable as they now hold two of the four ICC trophies, having reached the finals in the other two. Remarkably, India has triumphed in 22 of their last 23 completed ICC tournament matches.
India’s Spinners Restrict New Zealand on a Slow Pitch
On a sluggish Dubai pitch, New Zealand got off to a brisk start after winning the toss—an area where India had struggled, losing their last 15 ODI tosses. New Zealand raced to 69/1 in the powerplay, but India’s spinners soon took control. Despite the pitch offering minimal turn compared to previous matches, India’s spin trio bowled a combined 38 overs, conceding just 144 runs while claiming five key wickets.
Michael Bracewell’s late flourish (53 off 40) provided some resistance as he capitalized on the return of pace bowling at the death. His innings helped New Zealand post a competitive total, giving their bowlers something to defend.
India’s Chase: A Test of Depth and Grit
India started in similar fashion, reaching 64/0 in the powerplay. A 105-run opening stand between Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill provided a strong platform. However, New Zealand’s spinners fought back effectively, leveraging the increased turn in the second innings (from an average of 2 degrees in the first innings to 3.4 degrees in the second).
While every Indian batter except Virat Kohli got a start—Rohit leading with 76 and Hardik Pandya contributing a run-a-ball 18—none could finish the job. India’s immense batting depth ultimately proved decisive, with KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja guiding the team home with an over to spare and four wickets in hand.
New Zealand’s Fighting Effort in the Final
The final provided a much-needed close contest in an otherwise one-sided tournament. Despite India’s overall superiority, the toss gave New Zealand a fighting chance. Tournament-leading run-scorer Rachin Ravindra looked sublime against the new ball, scoring a fluent 37 off 29, stunning the crowd with his effortless stroke play.
India responded by turning to their best wicket-takers. Varun Chakravarthy dismissed Will Young with drift and natural variation, while Kuldeep Yadav struck with a first-ball wrong’un to remove Ravindra before outfoxing Kane Williamson with a dipping delivery. By the 15th over, New Zealand had slipped to 75/3, leaving Tom Latham and Daryl Mitchell to anchor the innings. However, a disciplined performance by Jadeja (10-0-30-1) stifled their progress.
For the second time in the tournament, India relied exclusively on spin through the middle overs. Despite minimal turn, the accuracy and quality of India’s spinners choked New Zealand’s scoring, restricting them to just 138/5 after 31 overs. Varun’s return to dismiss Glenn Phillips in the 38th over further derailed New Zealand’s charge. While Bracewell’s late fireworks injected momentum, the total still appeared below par.
Rohit’s Explosive Start and India’s Measured Chase
Chasing 231, India’s intent was evident from the outset. Rohit’s clean hitting against the fast bowlers forced New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner to introduce spin early. Santner and Ravindra slowed down the scoring, but a moment of brilliance from Glenn Phillips—taking a stunning one-handed catch at extra cover—removed Gill after the drinks break.
Bracewell struck with his first ball, trapping Kohli LBW for just one. Suddenly, New Zealand gained momentum, reducing India’s free-flowing start to a tense middle phase. Rohit, who had slowed down anticipating a long innings, attempted to break the shackles but perished to Ravindra, stumped while charging down the track.
Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel steadied the innings with a crucial 61-run stand, though Iyer lived dangerously—surviving a boundary-touching catch from Young and a dropped chance off Kyle Jamieson. When Iyer fell in the 39th over, India needed 67 off 68 balls. With the required rate hovering around a run a ball, India’s deep batting lineup ensured no panic.
Jadeja and Rahul Seal the Victory
New Zealand’s bowlers fought hard, but India’s confidence in their depth shone through. Rahul played a composed innings, ensuring India stayed ahead. A brief hiccup occurred when Jamieson dismissed Pandya with a sharp bouncer in the 48th over, but with Jadeja at the crease, India remained in control. In the penultimate over, Rahul struck the winning runs, securing India’s historic third Champions Trophy title.
India’s Dominance Continues
This triumph further cements India’s supremacy in world cricket, with their ability to adapt to conditions and depth across both batting and bowling making them formidable. Their balance of experience and young talent ensures they remain a dominant force in ICC tournaments. As they celebrate another title, India’s sights will already be set on adding more silverware to their growing collection.