What a thrilling victory India achieved against New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final. The match fluctuated from one end to another just what the Final deserved. However, the Men in Blue held their nerve better and were the deserving winners. Rohit Sharma led the way with a brisk 76, while Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya played their parts well to script a four-wicket victory over the resilient Blackcaps. Rohit Sharma received the Player of the Match award. Rachin Ravindra bagged the Player of the Tournament award for his all-round performance with both bat and ball.
NZ Win the Toss, Decide to Bat First in ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and elected to bat first in the Final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at Dubai International Stadium. The decision seemed right as the opening pair of Rachin Ravindra and Will Young took on the Indian bowlers, especially the former who hit four fours and a six to score a brisk 37 off 29 balls. However, as spinners came in, the run rate started dipping as Varun Chakaravarthy trapped Young LBW for 15 off 23 balls with two boundaries to his credit.
Soon, India got the second wicket as Kuldeep Yadav struck with his very first delivery by knocking the bails of Rachin Ravindra. Kuldeep, in his next over, knocked over New Zealand’s batting mainstay Kane Williamson. Kane hit straight back to Kuldeep in the latter’s follow through. New Zealand, all of a sudden, fell to 75 for 3 in 12.2 overs.
NZ Continue to Struggle as Daryl Mitchell, Latham Fail to Manoeuvre
Tom Latham joined Daryl Mitchell in the middle as Indian spinners started weaving magic. The two did stitch a partnership and took New Zealand past the 100-run mark, the numerous dot balls added a lot of pressure on the two. That led to the dismissal of Tom Latham, who tried to break the shackle by sweeping Ravindra Jadeja against the line, could only find himself trapped LBW. He scored a sluggish 14 off 30. The 33-run partnership came to an end.
In came Glenn Philips to accompany the struggling Darly Mitchell. Philips started slowly but soon got the hang of the pitch and hit two fours and a six and looked threatening from India’s perspective. However, Varun got his stumps knocked over with a wrong un. NZ were 165 for 5.
Bracewell, Mitchell Stitch a Valuable 46-run Partnership for 6th Wicket in ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final
Michael Bracewell joined Mitchell in the middle as New Zealand required quick runs to set India a competitive total to chase down. The duo stitched a 46-run partnership off 48 balls. Daryl Mitchell, who suddenly found some rhythm in his batting with two boundries off Shami, was foxed by the Indian speedster with a slower delivery. Rohit Sharma took an easy catch at cover. Mitchell scored 63 off 101 balls. Bracewell then went aggressive by smacking Shami and Hardik Pandya. He hit 53 not out off 40 balls, smashing four fours and two sixes. New Zealand ended the innings with 251 for 7.
India Begin Chasing on a Brisk Note Against NZ in ICC Champions Trophy Final
Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill began on a brisk note with the former taking the attack to the bowlers as usual. All three – Kyle Jamieson, William O’Rourke and Nathan Smith – were smashed as Rohit took the aerial route. Rohit Sharma completed his half-century inside 10 overs. The duo put on 105 before Glenn Philips leaped upward to grab a stunning catch to dismiss Shubman Gill, who scored 31 off 50 balls. Mitchell Santner was the bowler. Soon, Michael Bracewell ripped out Virat Kohli LBW for just one. It looked even nervy when Rachin Ravindra had Rohit Sharma stumped by Tom Latham for an excellent 76 off 83 balls. The skipper smashed seven fours and three sixes.
Shreyas, Axar Stitch a 61-run Partnership to Ease Pressure
Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel had to stitch a partnership, and they did by taking singles regularly. Iyer, in particular, was hitting odd boundaries to put the pressure back on to the Kiwis. He hit a big six off Glenn Philips and gave a simple catch to Kyle Jamieson at long-on. However, Jamieson put that down. Mitchell Santner, however, got rid of Shreyas Iyer as the latter top edged to Rachin Ravindra, who put on an excellent dive to take a catch at short fine leg. The 61-run partnership came to an end. Shreyas scored 48 off 62 balls. 20 runs later, Axar Patel fell to Michael Bracewell by hitting straight to William O’Rourke at long off. Axar made a useful 29 off 40 balls.
KL-Hardik Partnership Seals the Deal for India in ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final
KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya remained cool and got the boundaries when needed to ease the pressure. Hardik smashed a huge six off Rachin Ravindra in the 46th over to signal India’s intent to finish the game quickly. However, just when India needed 11 off 16 balls, Kyle Jamieson bounced out Hardik Pandya. Ravindra Jadeja finished the game with a boundary on the last ball of the 49th over. India won the Champions Trophy 2025 Final by 4 wickets. KL Rahul remained unbeaten on 34 off 33 balls.
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