India triumphs over New Zealand in a thrilling final to win the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.
India secured their second ICC Men’s Champions Trophy title with a dominant performance against New Zealand, successfully chasing down a target of 252 with one over to spare. The final, played in a high-pressure environment, saw India showcase their all-round strength, with key contributions from Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and the spin attack.
Batting first, New Zealand posted 251/7 in their 50 overs. The Indian spinners, led by Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja, applied relentless pressure, restricting the run flow and picking up crucial wickets. Their combined effort resulted in an economy rate of less than four runs per over, making it difficult for New Zealand to accelerate.
Chasing the target, captain Rohit Sharma led from the front with a well-constructed 76, giving India a solid foundation. After his dismissal, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer played crucial roles, ensuring India stayed on track. Kohli, a seasoned ICC tournament winner, reflected on the importance of collective performances, saying “To win titles, the whole team must step up in different games. That is why we won this tournament.”
Throughout the tournament, multiple Indian players delivered match-winning performances. Kohli’s unbeaten 100 against Pakistan and his 84 in the semi-final against Australia were instrumental in India’s journey to the final.
Bowler Varun Chakravarthy starred with a brilliant 5/42 against New Zealand in the group stage, while Shubman Gill smashed an unbeaten 101 against Bangladesh. Veteran pacer Mohammed Shami was consistent throughout, finishing as the joint-second highest wicket-taker with nine dismissals.
On the day of the final, Shreyas Iyer’s 48-run knock played a crucial role in steadying India’s chase, proving his value as a dependable middle-order batter. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner acknowledged that India’s spinners were the difference between the two sides. He pointed out how the Kiwi batters found it tough to score freely, especially in the middle overs.
Despite a strong fight, New Zealand fell short, allowing India to claim another major ICC trophy and cement their dominance in international cricket. With this victory, India has once again proven their ability to perform in high-pressure tournaments. After years of near misses in ICC events, this Champions Trophy win brings back memories of their 2013 triumph, marking another historic moment for Indian cricket.
Source – ICC
