The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final found its end in Dubai through a contest of determination combined with expert tactics and athletic abilities. India triumphed against New Zealand for the third time to claim the championship trophy which solidified yet another special moment in their cricketing achievements. The Indian team persevered through challenging situations while winning with four wickets to earn their seventh ICC senior trophy after reaching 251.
A Fiery Start and Sudden Setbacks
The Indian batting order launched their chase with powerful momentum through the captaincy of Rohit Sharma. Rohit Sharma hit 69 runs from 63 balls during their dominating opening partnership with Shubman Gill. Through their batting partnership the pair pushed New Zealand pacers backward while accumulating 105 runs during the powerplay period.
However, the momentum took an abrupt turn. Gill fell to a sharp catch by Glenn Phillips off Mitchell Santner’s bowling. Moments later, 1xbet login mobile users checking match updates saw Michael Bracewell strike with his very first delivery—trapping Virat Kohli LBW for just one run. Two wickets in four balls transformed the equation, forcing India into a phase of caution and consolidation.
Middle Overs Tension and Tactical Adjustments
With the pressure mounting, Rohit attempted to regain control but miscalculated a charge against Rachin Ravindra, resulting in a stumping. At 122/3, India was no longer cruising. Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel, recognizing the need for stability, carefully rebuilt the innings. Their 62-run stand brought composure but was not without drama—Kyle Jamieson’s fumble at long-on granted Iyer a lifeline on 44.
Just as Iyer looked to accelerate, an ill-advised attempt to scoop Santner over short fine leg found Ravindra’s safe hands. With the required rate hovering around run-a-ball, KL Rahul’s early six alleviated nerves, but Patel’s mistimed loft off Bracewell added another twist. At 48 needed from 48 balls, the final still hung in the balance.
The Final Surge to Glory
Hardik Pandya and Rahul played smartly, ensuring boundaries arrived at crucial intervals. Pandya’s 18 from 18 balls ended with a short-pitched delivery from Jamieson, but by then, only 11 runs were required off 15 balls.
Jadeja and Rahul, composed under pressure, sealed the chase—bringing India home in a match that demanded both patience and firepower.
New Zealand’s Effort and India’s Spin Masterclass
The total of 251 runs that New Zealand achieved stemmed from tough competitive batting performances. Amply enduring the Indian spinners Daryl Mitchell scored 63 runs as he faced 101 deliveries. At the beginning of the innings Ravindra made India’s pacers dance with his beautiful batting but his batting did not last as long as hoped for. The game completely changed after Varun Chakaravarthy alongside Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel took over the spin responsibilities.
First, Chakaravarthy produced a wicket when he bowled Will Young with LBW before Kuldeep executed the decisive move. His wrong ‘un deceived Ravindra, followed by a stunning return catch to dismiss Kane Williamson. From 75/3, New Zealand was forced into survival mode. Tom Latham and Mitchell opted for a cautious approach, yet the spin web tightened—boundaries dried up, dot balls piled pressure, and a sense of inevitability loomed.
A Game of Margins
New Zealand’s 33-run stand between Latham and Mitchell spanned 66 balls with just one boundary before Jadeja trapped Latham LBW. Mitchell then found an ally in Glenn Phillips, but India’s fielding—usually razor-sharp—offered them reprieves. Both batsmen survived drops but couldn’t capitalize fully. Phillips fell to a Chakaravarthy googly for 34, while Mitchell, after grinding out a fifty, lofted one straight to cover off Shami.
Michael Bracewell’s late fireworks pushed New Zealand past 250, but their cautious middle-overs approach ultimately left them short. His brisk half-century off 35 balls ensured a competitive finish, yet India’s collective bowling effort had already dictated the outcome.
The Captain’s Legacy
Rohit Sharma demonstrated exceptional leadership which exceeded batsmanship by building up a team that had failed in multiple ICC knockout competitions. His offensive field placements together with his fielder’s trust and active planning system contributed heavily to team success. The captain has established his legacy by bringing home two ICC trophies from three major tournaments.
The winning victory allowed India to overcome their previous string of close-defeat situations while solidifying their global league position. The Dubai festivities showcased that this Indian team excels during crisis situations because they once more demonstrated their stronghold in the ultimate championship match.
