India Clinches ICC Champions Trophy 2025: A Thrilling Final Against New Zealand

The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy final between India and New Zealand delivered an exhilarating contest, keeping cricket fans on the edge of their seats. From a fiercely contested first innings to a nervy yet composed chase, the final at the Dubai International Stadium had everything one could ask for in a marquee ICC event. In the end, India emerged victorious, successfully chasing down a target of 252 with four wickets in hand to secure their third ICC Champions Trophy title. The match showcased high-quality cricket, incredible performances, and the resilience of two world-class teams fighting for glory.

Match Overview

Date: March 9, 2025
Venue: Dubai International Stadium
Result: India won by four wickets
Man of the Match: Rohit Sharma
Toss: New Zealand won and chose to bat first

New Zealand's Innings: A Steady Yet Restrained Performance

With the dream of securing their maiden ICC Champions Trophy, New Zealand took to the field with high hopes. Their strategy revolved around a solid start, followed by an explosive finish in the death overs. However, India’s disciplined bowling attack proved too much to handle, limiting their scoring opportunities despite relatively favorable batting conditions.

Key Contributions:

Daryl Mitchell (63 off 101 balls): Provided stability in the middle overs, anchoring the innings when wickets fell at the other end. His innings held the team together when early breakthroughs threatened to derail New Zealand’s efforts.

Michael Bracewell (53 off 48 balls): Injected late momentum into the innings with aggressive stroke play, ensuring New Zealand posted a competitive total. His fearless approach in the final overs added crucial runs to the board.

Glen Philips (34 off 54 balls): Showed patience but struggled to accelerate against India's disciplined bowling. His knock provided a steady platform but lacked the finishing push required in a final.

Rachin Ravindra(37 off 29 balls): Looked in good touch before falling to Kuldeep Yadav’s sharp delivery. His early dismissal was a significant blow to New Zealand’s strategy.

India’s spin quartet—Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja—put the brakes on New Zealand’s scoring rate in the middle overs. Their variations and tight lines restricted the Kiwis to 251/7 in 50 overs, a total that initially seemed below par but turned out to be a challenging one under pressure.

India’s Chase: Rohit Sharma's Masterclass

India’s response began with confidence, as captain Rohit Sharma set the tone early on. His calculated aggression ensured that India remained in control for the majority of the chase. His ability to switch gears, play spin with ease, and counter the swing of Kyle Jamison proved crucial in India’s victory.

Standout Performances:

Rohit Sharma (76 off 89 balls): A captain’s knock, leading from the front with a composed innings that provided India the perfect start. His experience was instrumental in nullifying New Zealand’s bowling attack.

Shubman Gill (31 off 50 balls): Played a crucial supporting role in a 90-run opening stand, ensuring a solid foundation.
Shreyas iyer (48 off 62 balls): Looked fluent but fell to a sharp delivery from santner, momentarily shifting the momentum. His dismissal sparked brief concerns in the Indian camp.

KL Rahul (34 off 33 balls): Held his nerve in the later stages, ensuring stability. His ability to rotate the strike was key in preventing pressure from building up.

Axar Patel(29 off 40) and Hardik Pandya (18 off 18)Both play crucial innings to set the win for india before they dismissed.
Ravindra Jadeja (9 off 6 balls): Finished in style with his trademark calmness, guiding India home with six balls to spare. His ability to absorb pressure made the difference in the closing moments.

New Zealand’s bowlers, particularly M sentner and Bracewell, fought hard and picked up crucial wickets at key moments. However, India’s batting depth and experience in high-pressure chases saw them through comfortably in the end.

Key Moments That Defined the Match

Spin Dominance:

India’s spinners bowled 38 overs, conceding just 147 runs while picking up crucial wickets. Their control over New Zealand’s middle order was pivotal in restricting the total and breaking partnerships at critical junctures.

Opening Partnership:

The 105-run opening stand between Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill provided the ideal foundation, allowing India to chase down the target without undue pressure. The duo played with patience and aggression in equal measure.

Bracewell’s Late Flourish:

New Zealand’s total could have been significantly lower had it not been for Michael Bracewell’s late innings fireworks, which added crucial runs in the final overs and gave New Zealand a fighting chance.

Kohli’s Dismissal:

Virat Kohli’s wicket to Bracewell gave New Zealand a glimmer of hope, but India’s middle order ensured there were no further stumbles. His dismissal highlighted the threat posed with his turn.

5. Jadeja and Rahul’s Calm Finish:

Despite a few late jitters, the experienced duo of Jadeja and Rahul ensured India’s victory without unnecessary risks. Their mature approach exemplified India’s depth and temperament in pressure situations.

Post-Match Reactions

Rohit Sharma (India Captain):

"A special win for us. The bowlers executed their plans brilliantly, and the batsmen ensured we crossed the line with confidence. Winning back-to-back ICC tournaments is a testament to our hard work and team spirit."

Mitchell Santner (New Zealand Captain):

"We were probably 20-30 runs short. Our bowlers gave it everything, but India handled the pressure better. We’ll take the positives from this tournament and come back stronger."

Controversies and Talking Points

One of the biggest talking points of the tournament was India playing all their matches in Dubai, avoiding travel to Pakistan, which was the official host. While some questioned whether this gave India an unfair advantage, their dominant performances throughout left no doubt about their supremacy.

Additionally, questions were raised about New Zealand’s batting strategy. Their middle-order struggles to accelerate at crucial moments arguably cost them 20-30 extra runs, which could have made a significant difference in the final outcome.

India’s Growing Legacy in White-Ball Cricket

With this victory, India further cemented its status as a dominant force in world cricket. Under Rohit Sharma’s leadership, the team showcased an ideal blend of experience and young talent, making them one of the most formidable sides in modern-day cricket.

Despite their loss, New Zealand reaffirmed their reputation as one of the most consistent teams in ICC tournaments. Their ability to reach the knockout stages repeatedly is a testament to their structured approach and never-give-up attitude.

The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy final will go down as another thrilling chapter in the rivalry between these two cricketing giants. As India celebrates another ICC triumph, fans worldwide eagerly await the next battle between these powerhouses of the game. The intensity, skill, and sportsmanship displayed in the final reaffirmed cricket’s status as a sport that unites fans across the globe.