India Secures Historic Third ICC Champions Trophy Title with Four-Wicket Win Over New Zealand

In a thrilling finale that showcased resilience and skill, India claimed their third ICC Champions Trophy title by defeating New Zealand by four wickets at the Dubai International Stadium. Chasing a target of 252 runs, India’s captain Rohit Sharma played a pivotal role with a combative innings of 76 runs, leading his team to victory with six balls remaining. The match unfolded in front of a vibrant crowd, predominantly clad in blue, as India sought to add to their previous titles from 2002 and 2013. With this win, India surpassed Australia’s tally of two Champions Trophy titles, solidifying their status as the most successful team in the tournament's history. New Zealand, batting first after winning the toss, set a challenging target by scoring 251 runs for the loss of seven wickets. Daryl Mitchell was the standout performer for the Black Caps, scoring a well-fought 63 runs, while Michael Bracewell provided late-order fireworks with an unbeaten 53. However, India’s spinners proved decisive, with Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav each taking two wickets to restrict New Zealand effectively on a sluggish pitch. In response, India started strongly, with Rohit Sharma displaying aggressive intent from the outset. He reached his half-century in just 41 balls, striking boundaries with confidence against the New Zealand pace attack. However, the momentum shifted when Rohit was stumped off Rachin Ravindra's bowling, leaving India at 122-3 after a promising start. Shreyas Iyer contributed a crucial 48 runs but fell victim to Mitchell Santner's bowling, leaving India in a precarious position at 203-5. Despite the pressure, KL Rahul remained composed, finishing with an unbeaten 34 runs and guiding the team home alongside Hardik Pandya (18) and Ravindra Jadeja, who sealed the victory with a boundary. The absence of New Zealand's pace spearhead Matt Henry due to injury was felt keenly, while Kane Williamson struggled with a quad strain that limited his fielding capabilities. The Indian bowlers exploited these gaps effectively, demonstrating their depth and adaptability throughout the tournament. Reflecting on the victory, Rohit Sharma expressed immense pride in his team's performance and resilience throughout the tournament. "This win is a testament to our hard work and determination," he said during the post-match presentation. "We faced challenges but stood strong as a unit." ▎Match Summary: • New Zealand: 251-7 in 50 overs (D. Mitchell 63, M. Bracewell 53*; K. Yadav 2-40, V. Chakravarthy 2-45) • India: 254-6 in 49 overs (R. Sharma 76, S. Iyer 48; M. Bracewell 2-28, M. Santner 2-46) • Result: India won by four wickets With this historic triumph, India not only adds another trophy to their illustrious cricketing legacy but also reinforces their dominance in ODI cricket as they head into future tournaments with renewed confidence and momentum.