Dubai: India achieved an extraordinary milestone by securing their third Champions Trophy title with a determined four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the final on Sunday.
Captain Rohit Sharma led the charge with a brilliant half-century, showcasing exceptional poise under pressure.
Opting to field first after Rohit lost his 12th consecutive toss, India’s bowlers, particularly the spinners, delivered a disciplined performance.
Kuldeep Yadav (2/40) and Varun Chakaravarthy (2/45) were instrumental in restricting New Zealand to 251/7 in their allotted 50 overs.
Contributions from Daryl Mitchell (63 off 101 balls), Michael Bracewell (53 not out off 40 balls), and Rachin Ravindra (37 off 29 balls) ensured a competitive total for the Kiwis.
India’s chase of 252 began solidly, anchored by Rohit Sharma’s 76 off 83 balls and Shreyas Iyer’s steady 48 off 62 balls.
However, the team faced a few nervous moments after slipping to 183/5. KL Rahul (34 not out off 33 balls) displayed remarkable composure, guiding India home with six deliveries to spare. Hardik Pandya’s quickfire 18 provided a crucial boost to the innings.
The victory marked India’s flawless campaign in the tournament, as they remained undefeated throughout.
The triumph also underlined India’s dominance, making them the only team to win the Champions Trophy three times, following previous successes in 2002 and 2013.
This historic achievement is yet another testament to India’s prowess in global cricket.
Brief scores:
New Zealand: 251/7 in 50 overs (Daryl Mitchell 63, Michael Bracewell 53 not out, Rachin Ravindra 37; Kuldeep Yadav 2/40, Varun Chakaravarthy 2/45.
India: 254/6 in 49 overs (Rohit Sharma 76, Shreyas lyer 48; Mitchell Santner 2/46, Michael Bracewell 2/28).
