India clinches third Champions Trophy as Rohit and Rahul orchestrate exhilarating run chase | Cricbuzz.com

**Champions Trophy 2025: India’s Triumphant Pursuit for Glory**

*By Cricbuzz Staff*

**Last Updated**

India’s cricket team jubilantly celebrated their victory as they secured their third ICC Champions Trophy title, overcoming New Zealand by four wickets in a thrilling finale. This triumph in Dubai marked India’s seventh ICC senior trophy, as they completed an unbeaten run through the tournament.

Faced with a daunting target of 251 on a challenging pitch, India commenced their chase with remarkable flair, spearheaded by captain Rohit Sharma. A commanding 105-run partnership at the start of the innings, where Rohit contributed a brisk 69 off 63 balls, set India on a course of dominance. New Zealand’s pace attack, missing their injured lead bowler Matt Henry, struggled to contain him, prompting a strategic switch to spin by Mitchell Santner. Despite New Zealand’s interventions, India maintained the momentum.

New Zealand regained composure momentarily when Santner claimed the wicket of Shubman Gill, thanks to a sensational catch by Glenn Phillips. Adding to India’s woes, Michael Bracewell struck decisively, dismissing Virat Kohli for a mere single, applying further pressure. The New Zealand spinners momentarily stifled India’s run-rate, even stumping an advancing Rohit Sharma off Rachin Ravindra, leaving India at 122/3.

In response, Axar Patel and Shreyas Iyer forged a critical 62-run partnership, blending caution with aggression to restore stability. Despite a few hiccups, including Iyer’s fortunate reprieve courtesy of Kyle Jamieson’s fumble at long-on, the duo kept the chase alive. However, Iyer eventually fell to Santner, taken by Ravindra, as the match’s tension intensified.

Entering at a critical juncture, KL Rahul provided timely boundaries to alleviate the escalating required run rate. Yet, as Patel misjudged a lofted drive off Bracewell, New Zealand found a glimmer of hope. Needing 48 runs from 48 balls, the balance appeared precariously poised until Rahul and Hardik Pandya’s timely boundary strokes swung momentum back India’s way. Hardik’s cameo concluded with a Jamieson bouncer, but with a mere 11 runs needed off 15 balls, Jadeja and Rahul steered India to a well-deserved victory.

Earlier, New Zealand’s innings battled against India’s spin quartet under challenging conditions. Daryl Mitchell’s resilient 63 off 101 deliveries anchored their effort after a promising start led by Rachin Ravindra. However, the introduction of Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav transformed the innings, with significant scalps including Ravindra and Kane Williamson, curbing New Zealand’s early charge. Despite the middle-order’s conservative approach, India’s spinners maintained pressure, leaving New Zealand’s score at a competitive yet attainable 251/7.

Mitchell and Michael Bracewell’s late flurry pushed the total, but relentless Indian bowling and sharp fielding tempered the run charge. With Shami striking late and Bracewell’s half-century propelling them past 250, New Zealand set a formidable challenge which India eclipsed, underscoring their dominance in the opulent landscape of international cricket.

**Brief Scores:**
New Zealand 251/7 (Daryl Mitchell 63, Michael Bracewell 53*; Varun Chakaravarthy 2-45, Kuldeep Yadav 2-40)
India 254/6 (Rohit Sharma 76, Shreyas Iyer 48)
India won by 4 wickets.

**Tags:** India, New Zealand, KL Rahul, Varun Chakaravarthy, Rohit Sharma, ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Final

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