Explore India’s journey to the 2025 Champions Trophy, showcasing their dominating victories and remarkable performances on the cricketing stage.
Introduction: 2025 Champions Trophy Winner
India have cemented their place in history yet again, winning their third Champions Trophy trophy in dominating style. Unbeaten in the tournament, Rohit Sharma’s team overwhelmed New Zealand in the final, claiming a six-wicket win to win their second successive ICC title.
With Ravindra Jadeja getting the winning runs, India’s all-around dominance with both the bat and ball made them look never to be in trouble, even as a spirited fight came from New Zealand. See also: Virat Kohli, KL Rahul Leads India to Champions Trophy 2025 Final
A Spin-Rich Final in Dubai
New Zealand had won the toss, with Mitchell Santner deciding to bat first, given the bone-dry pitch to believe the pitch would slow down as the match went on. India, though, remained unperturbed, having chased scores successfully on this surface throughout the tournament.
India’s unchanged playing XI spoke volumes of their confidence, while New Zealand made Nathan Smith come in for injured Matt Henry.
Rachin Ravindra’s Quickfire Start: NZ’s Promising Start Fizzles Out
Rachin Ravindra and Will Young gave a solid beginning, contributing 46 runs in the first six overs. Ravindra went after Hardik Pandya, hitting a six and two fours off one over, taking New Zealand to 26 for 0 in four overs.
Varun Chakravarthy, though, ended the stand in the eighth over, getting Young lbw with a sly leg-break. Kuldeep Yadav Strikes Twice to Break the Backbone. Despite a solid 69 for 1 in 10 overs, India brought in Kuldeep Yadav for a breakthrough, and he obliged at once.
First, he clean bowled Ravindra with a wrong ‘ un, catching him on the crease.
Then, Kane Williamson was out two overs later, getting the turn wrong and lofting an easy catch back to the bowler. New Zealand fell to 75 for 3 in 12.2 overs.
Spin Chokes New Zealand’s Middle Order
Tom Latham’s fight fell flat with an lbw off Ravindra Jadeja as India tightened its grip.
Accuracy by Mitchell Santner forced the defense from New Zealand, during which 10 overs passed with no boundary being scored. Varun Chakravarthy had his say as well as got Glenn Phillips dismissed with a wrong ‘ un as New Zealand sank to 165 for 5 during the 38th over.
Mitchell and Bracewell steady the ship
Daryl Mitchell scored the slowest fifty of the tournament (63 off 101 balls) against India’s persistent spin attack. Michael Bracewell brought the urgency, scoring a quick 53 off 40 balls, counter-attacking the Indian pacers.
New Zealand hammered 79 runs in the final 10 overs, scoring 251 for 7, the highest total India had conceded in this stage of the tournament. In spite of the late flurry, India were the more satisfied team at the interval, realizing that they had kept New Zealand’s score on a batting-friendly surface in check.
Rohit Sharma’s Blitzkrieg Sets the Tone: India Off to a Flier
Rohit Sharma did not waste any time, hitting two fours and a six in the initial 11 deliveries, reaching India to 22 for 0 in two overs. New Zealand captain Kane Williamson strained his quad while batting and did not come out to field. Rohit completed his fifty off 41 balls, making India completely in charge of the powerplay at 65 for 0 after 10 overs.
New Zealand Fight Back with Quick Wickets
Shubman Gill was caught by Glenn Phillips at extra cover for 31. Michael Bracewell then struck, getting Virat Kohli lbw, as New Zealand began fighting back. Rohit tapered off after the aggressive beginning, moving to 76 from 77 balls before mistiming a massive shot and being dismissed.
India struggled to 122 for 3 in 26.1 overs, and New Zealand perceived an opportunity.
Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel Absorb Pressure. Iyer and Axar stabilized the innings, compiling 37 from 47 balls. It was a massive let-off for India when Kyle Jamieson dropped Iyer after he bludgeoned a 109-meter six.
Iyer, however, didn’t finish the work off, edging out straight away after a drinks break, mis-hitting a shot from Mitchell Santner. India had now to get 69 of 68 deliveries, and tensions heightened.
Final Hurdle: Rahul, Pandya Pave Way To Win For India
Axar Patel was dismissed immediately after Iyer, having India require 49 of 51 deliveries.
Hardik Pandya’s six off Ravindra relieved pressure, and KL Rahul maintained things steady.
A wizardly delivery from Jamieson got rid of Pandya, leaving India 11 runs short of victory with 15 balls remaining. Lastly, Ravindra Jadeja pulled a delivery to the fence, giving India their historic Champions Trophy victory.
A Triumph for Indian Cricket
Key Takeaways from the Final:
India’s Spinners Decimated New Zealand: 38 overs of spin bowling for only 144 runs and five wickets. Kuldeep Yadav (2/40) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/43) were outstanding.
Rohit Sharma’s Captaincy Masterclass: Intelligent bowling changes put India back in the contest. His aggressive game (76 off 77) provided the ideal platform for the chase.
Michael Bracewell’s All-Round Effort in Vain: 53 off 40 balls and two crucial wickets made him New Zealand’s standout performer.
The Unavoidable Mohamed Shami and Hardik Pandya Show: Shami picked his ninth wicket of the tournament, proving his consistency. Pandya’s last over-six relaxed nerves before his dismissal.
India’s Champions Trophy Record Expands: India have now won the Champions Trophy thrice (2002, 2013, 2025) with this win, which makes them the joint-most successful side in the history of the tournament.
Back-to-back ICC titles (following victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup) are testimony to India’s supremacy at the global level. The triumphal procession will be a celebration as Rohit Sharma and his boys continue making history.