India Clinch 2025 ICC Champions Trophy Title with Four-Wicket Victory Over New Zealand

Dubai, March 9, 2025 – India emerged victorious in the final of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, defeating New Zealand by four wickets in a thrilling encounter at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The win marks India’s second consecutive global title, following their 2023 World Cup triumph, solidifying their position as a dominant force in international cricket.

New Zealand’s Strong Start

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, New Zealand posted a total of 252 runs. Despite a slow start, key contributions from Daryl Mitchell (63) and Michael Bracewell (53*) helped steady the innings. However, India’s bowlers, led by the spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy, made timely breakthroughs to stifle New Zealand’s progress. Kuldeep took 3 wickets, while Varun chipped in with 2 key scalps, keeping the Black Caps under control.

India’s Response: Chasing Down the Target

In reply, India made a solid start, chasing down the target with one over to spare. Captain Rohit Sharma led the charge with a composed 76 runs, anchoring the chase. Shreyas Iyer played a crucial role with his steady 45 runs, and Axar Patel’s vital 35 runs added further momentum. KL Rahul, who remained unbeaten at 34*, saw India home in the final over, securing their fourth ICC Champions Trophy title.

Standout Performances

Rohit Sharma’s match-winning knock earned him the Player of the Match award. The skipper’s calm and collected approach under pressure played a pivotal role in guiding India to victory.

In a tournament full of stellar performances, New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra was named Player of the Tournament for his consistent contributions with both bat and ball throughout the competition.

India’s KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja celebrate their victory
India’s KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja celebrate their victory

Controversies and Discussions

While India’s victory was well-deserved, the tournament raised discussions regarding the ‘home’ advantage. India played all their group matches in Dubai, avoiding travel to Pakistan due to political tensions. Despite this, both teams demonstrated exceptional skill, and the final was a fitting culmination of a highly competitive tournament.

Conclusion

India’s triumph in the 2025 Champions Trophy will go down as one of their most comprehensive victories. With consistent performances throughout the tournament, they showed why they remain one of the world’s best ODI teams. As both India and New Zealand look ahead to future challenges, the 2025 Champions Trophy will be remembered for its high-quality cricket and memorable moments.

2025 ICC Champions Trophy Final – Scorecard

2025 ICC Champions Trophy Final Scorecard

India vs New Zealand

New Zealand Innings

Batsman Runs Balls Fours Sixes Strike Rate
Daryl Mitchell 63 75 6 2 84.00
Michael Bracewell* 53* 50 5 1 106.00
Devon Conway 25 30 3 0 83.33
Tom Latham 17 21 2 0 80.95
Glenn Phillips 11 15 1 0 73.33
Rachin Ravindra 16 20 1 0 80.00
James Neesham 8 10 1 0 80.00
Mitchell Santner 2 5 0 0 40.00
Lockie Ferguson 0 2 0 0 0.00
Trent Boult 0 3 0 0 0.00

India Innings

Batsman Runs Balls Fours Sixes Strike Rate
Rohit Sharma 76 90 8 2 84.44
Shreyas Iyer 45 55 4 1 81.82
KL Rahul* 34* 40 3 0 85.00
Axar Patel 35 30 2 1 116.67
Virat Kohli 18 22 2 0 81.81
Suryakumar Yadav 12 15 1 0 80.00
Hardik Pandya 5 10 1 0 50.00
Ravindra Jadeja 4 8 0 0 50.00
Kuldeep Yadav 1 3 0 0 33.33
Varun Chakravarthy 1 2 0 0 50.00

Match Summary

New Zealand: 252/9 in 50 overs
India: 253/6 in 49 overs
Result: India won by 4 wickets