The final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was held on March 9, 2025, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The match featured India and New Zealand, both having displayed exceptional performances throughout the tournament. Winning the toss, New Zealand elected to bat first, setting a target of 252 runs. India successfully chased this target, achieving a score of 254/6 in 49 overs, securing a four-wicket victory.
New Zealand’s Innings
New Zealand began their innings with openers Rachin Ravindra and Will Young. They provided a solid start, with Ravindra scoring 37 runs before being dismissed by Kuldeep Yadav. Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell then built a partnership, but Williamson fell to Kuldeep for 9 runs. Mitchell continued his fight, contributing 63 runs. Michael Bracewell remained unbeaten at 53 runs, guiding New Zealand to a total of 251/7 in their allotted 50 overs.
India’s Chase
In response, India started their chase with openers Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma. Gill fell early, followed by Virat Kohli, leaving India at 45/2. Rohit Sharma, however, anchored the innings, scoring a pivotal 76 runs before his dismissal. Shreyas Iyer contributed 48 runs, stabilizing the chase. In the final stages, KL Rahul remained unbeaten at 34 runs, ensuring India’s victory with one over to spare.
Key Performances
India:
- Rohit Sharma (Captain): Top-scored with 76 runs off 83 balls, playing a crucial role in the chase.
- Shreyas Iyer: Added a valuable 48 runs, providing stability in the middle order.
- KL Rahul: Remained unbeaten at 34 runs, guiding the team across the finish line.
- Kuldeep Yadav: Claimed 2 wickets for 40 runs, breaking key partnerships.
- Varun Chakravarthy: Also took 2 wickets, contributing significantly to the bowling attack.
New Zealand:
- Daryl Mitchell: Top-scored with 63 runs, anchoring the innings.
- Michael Bracewell: Remained unbeaten at 53 runs, providing late-order resilience.
- Rachin Ravindra: Contributed 37 runs before his dismissal.
- Will Young: Added 15 runs, getting out LBW to Varun Chakravarthy.
Turning Point
A pivotal moment occurred when Kuldeep Yadav dismissed both Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson in quick succession, shifting the momentum in favor of India. Despite New Zealand’s efforts, they couldn’t recover from these setbacks.
Post-Match Analysis
India’s victory in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final was a testament to their balanced performance across batting and bowling. The team’s depth and experience were evident, especially in handling pressure situations. New Zealand, though competitive, couldn’t capitalize on key moments, leading to their narrow defeat.