India Clinches Record-Breaking 3rd ICC Champions Trophy Title, Defeats New Zealand in Thriller

In a scintillating finale at the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, India emerged victorious by four wickets against New Zealand, clinching their third Champions Trophy title. The final, held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 9, 2025, saw India chase down 252 runs with just one over to spare, making history in the process.

India's triumph came under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, who steered his team to glory after previously winning the ICC T20 World Cup in 2024. The victory marks a new chapter for Indian cricket, as it ended a long gap since their last ICC ODI title—the 2013 Champions Trophy under MS Dhoni’s leadership.

A Look Back at the Final

• New Zealand's Innings: Resilient Yet Short of the Mark

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, New Zealand posted a competitive total of 251/7. The innings saw valuable contributions from Daryl Mitchell (63 off 101 balls), Michael Bracewell (53), and Rachin Ravindra (37). However, their efforts were stifled by India's spinners, who applied constant pressure throughout the middle overs.

• Kuldeep Yadav (2/40) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/45) were the standout performers, taking crucial wickets and keeping the run rate under control.

• Ravindra Jadeja (1/30) and Mohammed Shami (1/74) also chipped in, with Jadeja's tight bowling keeping the Kiwis in check, especially during the middle overs.

• In the final overs, New Zealand managed to accelerate, adding 50 runs in the last five overs, largely thanks to a late flurry from Michael Bracewell, who reached a half-century off the final ball of the innings.

Despite a slow start and some missed opportunities, New Zealand's total proved to be competitive, but it was clear that India had the skills to chase it down.

• India's Chase: A Roller-Coaster of Emotions

India's chase began on a solid note with Rohit Sharma (76) and Shubman Gill (31) forming a dynamic opening partnership that laid a strong foundation. Their 105-run stand made the chase look easy. However, New Zealand fought back fiercely, taking quick wickets and reducing India to 132/4.

• Rohit Sharma, in particular, played a brilliant knock, displaying composure and aggression. However, his dismissal, stumped by Tom Latham off Rachin Ravindra's bowling, shifted the momentum.

• Shreyas Iyer (48) was another pillar in India’s chase, playing a crucial knock under pressure before getting caught by Ravindra off Mitchell Santner’s bowling.

• KL Rahul (34*), along with Hardik Pandya (18) and Ravindra Jadeja (9*), saw India home with calmness and poise, securing a thrilling win for India.

The Black Caps, though without their injured ace pacer Matt Henry, fought valiantly but were unable to capitalize on the pressure they built in the middle overs. India reached 254/6 in 49 overs, with Rahul and Jadeja finishing the game with one over to spare.

Player Reactions: What the Indian Players Had to Say

• Rohit Sharma

“I’m so proud of the team’s effort. The way we played as a unit—everyone stepped up when it was needed. It’s a special feeling to win this title again,” said the Indian captain, visibly emotional after lifting the trophy.

• Virat Kohli

After the win, Virat Kohli expressed his joy, reflecting on India's journey to the title. "It’s been amazing, we wanted to bounce back after a tough Australia tour. Lovely playing with a bunch of amazing youngsters," Kohli said. He highlighted the collective effort of the team, with players like Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul stepping up at crucial moments. Kohli added, "When you leave, you want to leave the team in a better position. The team is in good hands."

• KL Rahul

KL Rahul, who finished the game for India, was candid about his nerves during the chase. "Not sure I can say this on air, but I was s****** myself," Rahul admitted, praising the composure and skill of his teammates. "The team has pure skill. We’ve all had to face pressure since we became professional cricketers, and the BCCI has groomed us to challenge ourselves and get better."

• Shreyas Iyer

“I tried to keep the team together after a few quick wickets. The middle-order has always been under pressure, but we managed to pull through. The consistency in our performance is what helped us win,” remarked Iyer.

• Kuldeep Yadav

“Luckily, my batting wasn’t needed today. KL and Hardik did brilliantly. This win is for our fans. Managing four spinners in the team was tough, but all the planning paid off,” said Kuldeep.

• Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill expressed his admiration for Rohit Sharma's leadership and batting. "The intensity with which he plays is amazing. Rohit told me, ‘Doesn’t matter how the scoreboard gap is, the aim was to bat till the end,’" said Gill.

• Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya also reflected on the victory, remembering the disappointment of 2017 and cherishing the feeling of finishing the job this time. "KL was calm; he took his chances at the right time. He has immense talent, no one can time it as well as him," Pandya remarked.

• Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja acknowledged the team’s collective effort, saying, "Sometimes a hero, sometimes a zero. The wicket was tough for a new batter, but Hardik and KL were great."

Top Performers of the Tournament

• Rachin Ravindra: The Tournament’s Top Run-Getter

Despite New Zealand's loss in the final, Rachin Ravindra finished as the tournament's top run-scorer, amassing 263 runs at an average of 65.75, which included two centuries. His performances were a key highlight of the Black Caps' campaign, even though they ultimately fell short in the final.

• Shreyas Iyer: India's Consistent Performer

Shreyas Iyer finished second in the run-scoring charts, amassing 248 runs. His consistent contributions, including a vital knock in the final, demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure and his importance in India's middle-order.

• Matt Henry: Top Wicket-Taker Despite Missing the Final

Matt Henry, who missed the final due to a shoulder injury, remained the tournament's top wicket-taker with 10 wickets at an average of 16.70.

• Varun Chakravarthy and Mohammed Shami

India’s Varun Chakravarthy (9 wickets) and Mohammed Shami (9 wickets) finished second and third, respectively, showcasing the strength of India's bowling attack throughout the tournament.

Leading run-getters in 2025 ICC Champions Trophy

Leading wicket-takers in 2025 ICC Champions Trophy

Player	Span	Mat	Inns	Balls	Overs	Mdns	Runs	Wkts	BBI	Ave	Econ	SR	4W	5W
Mitchell Henry (NZ)	2025-2025	4	4	188	31.2	1	167	10	5/42	16.70	5.32	18.80	-	1
Varun Chakravarthy (IND)	2025-2025	3	3	180	30.0	-	136	9	5/42	15.11	4.53	20.00	-	1
Mohammed Shami (IND)	2025-2025	5	5	246	41.0	-	233	9	5/53	25.88	5.68	27.33	-	1
Mitchell Santner (NZ)	2025-2025	5	5	300	50.0	2	240	9	3/43	26.66	4.80	33.33	-	-
Michael Bracewell (NZ)	2025-2025	5	5	294	49.0	2	201	8	4/26	25.12	4.10	36.75	1	-
Azmatullah Omarzai (AFG)	2025-2025	3	3	125	20.5	-	140	7	5/58	20.00	6.72	17.85	-	1
Ben Dwarshuis (AUS)	2025-2025	3	3	156	26.0	-	152	7	3/47	21.71	5.84	22.28	-	-
Kuldeep Yadav (IND)	2025-2025	5	5	279	46.3	-	223	7	3/40	31.85	4.79	39.85	-	-
India 2025 ICC Champions Trophy Champions Trophy Champions Trophy 2025 New Zealand ROHIT SHARMA VIRAT KOHLI SHREYAS IYER HARDIK PANDYA RAVINDRA JADEJA Kuldeep Yadav Varun Chakravarthy Related Articles Sports India's Chance for Perfect Revenge: How India Can Overcome New Zealand in the Champions Trophy 2025 Final Minakshi Srivastava Mar 08, 2025 4 min read Sports From Unseen to Unstoppable: N'Golo Kanté's Rise to Football Stardom Banibrata C. Mar 08, 2025 3 min read Sports Why Did Lionel Messi Miss Inter Miami's Champions Cup Match Against Cavalier? Banibrata C. Mar 07, 2025 3 min read Sports Champions League Round of 16: Barcelona Secures Crucial 1-0 Win Over Benfica Banibrata C. Mar 06, 2025 2 min read Recent News Editorials The Mountains Are Dying, and W... Minakshi Srivastava Mar 10, 2025 Politics Maharashtra Budget 2025 LIVE: ... Minakshi Srivastava Mar 10, 2025 Business Tesla Under Fire: Protests, Va... Minakshi Srivastava Mar 10, 2025