The Indian cricket team emerged victorious in the Champions Trophy final, defeating New Zealand in a hard-fought battle. The match, played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, was expected to be a smooth ride for India, but the Kiwis put up a tough fight. Despite the challenges, Rohit Sharma’s men secured the prestigious title, maintaining an unbeaten run throughout the tournament.

This victory also served as redemption for India’s loss to New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final 25 years ago, when Sourav Ganguly’s team fell short. For Rohit Sharma, this win marked his second ICC trophy in just nine months, having led India to the T20 World Cup title last year. Meanwhile, Gautam Gambhir’s first stint as head coach proved to be a success as he guided the team to a triumphant campaign.

Toss Troubles Continue for Rohit

One of the most peculiar aspects of India’s campaign was Rohit Sharma’s persistent bad luck with the toss. The Indian skipper failed to win a single toss throughout the tournament, setting an unusual record in ODI cricket. Despite losing the toss in the final as well, India managed to turn the game in their favor, proving that tosses are not always decisive.

New Zealand’s Positive Start

Opting to bat first, New Zealand got off to an impressive start. Openers Rachin Ravindra and Will Young took the attack to the Indian bowlers, scoring at a brisk pace. Ravindra, known for his aggressive stroke play, targeted India’s premier pacers, Mohammed Shami and Hardik Pandya, hitting them for boundaries early in the innings.

Sensing the urgency, Rohit introduced his spinners into the attack earlier than usual, bringing in Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy during the powerplay. This strategic move soon started yielding results.

Varun Chakravarthy’s Game-Changing Spell

Leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy once again proved to be India’s match-winner, making an immediate impact with the ball. He nearly dismissed Rachin early in his spell, only for Shreyas Iyer to drop a straightforward catch in the deep. However, Varun remained unfazed, and soon after, he provided the crucial breakthrough.

Will Young, looking well-set, misjudged a delivery and was caught behind for 15. Later, as Glenn Phillips attempted to shift gears, Varun cleaned him up with a beautiful delivery. Finishing with figures of 2/45 in his 10-over spell, he played a crucial role in halting New Zealand’s momentum.

Kuldeep Yadav’s Impactful Spell

Unlike previous matches where he was introduced late, Kuldeep Yadav was brought into the attack much earlier in the final. This decision worked wonders for India. In his very first over, he bowled a peach of a delivery that rattled Rachin’s stumps, sending the dangerous batter back for 37.

The biggest blow for New Zealand came when Kuldeep dismissed their captain, Kane Williamson, for just 11. These two wickets put the Black Caps on the back foot, forcing them to reassess their approach. By the end of his spell, Kuldeep had figures of 2/40, playing a key role in restricting New Zealand’s total.

Mitchell’s Resilient Knock

With wickets tumbling at regular intervals, New Zealand needed a stabilizer, and Daryl Mitchell stepped up to the occasion. The right-hander played a patient innings, initially focusing on rotating the strike rather than going for big shots.

Mitchell built crucial partnerships with Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, and Michael Bracewell, ensuring New Zealand reached a respectable total. He brought up his half-century in 91 balls before eventually falling to Mohammed Shami for 63. Despite his slow start, his knock was crucial in helping his team post a competitive score.

Bracewell’s Late Flourish

At one stage, it seemed unlikely that New Zealand would even cross the 220-run mark. However, Michael Bracewell had other plans. The all-rounder took on the Indian pacers, particularly targeting Shami and Hardik, playing a fearless innings under pressure.

Bracewell’s aggressive intent helped New Zealand add vital runs in the final overs. He remained unbeaten on 53 off just 40 balls, propelling his team to a total of 251/7 in 50 overs.

Indian Pacers Fail to Impress

While India’s spinners put up an excellent show, the pacers struggled to make an impact. Mohammed Shami, usually India’s go-to bowler in big matches, had an off day, conceding 74 runs in nine overs with just one wicket to his name.

Hardik Pandya, who bowled three overs, was also expensive, leaking 30 runs without picking up a wicket. In total, India’s fast bowlers gave away 104 runs in 12 overs, which allowed New Zealand to reach a competitive total.

India’s Sloppy Fielding

India’s fielding was far from perfect in the final. The team dropped as many as four catches, with Mohammed Shami, Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, and Shubman Gill all missing crucial chances. These missed opportunities allowed New Zealand’s middle order to stretch their innings longer than India would have liked.

Additionally, misfields on the boundary from Kuldeep Yadav and Gill resulted in unnecessary extra runs for New Zealand. While these lapses did not cost India the match, they were a concerning aspect of the team’s performance in the final.

Rohit’s Blazing Start

Chasing 252, India got off to a flying start, courtesy of their captain Rohit Sharma. The veteran opener set the tone by smashing a six off the very first ball, signaling his aggressive intent. He dominated the New Zealand pacers and raced to his first half-century of the tournament.

However, just when it seemed like he would guide India to an easy win, Rohit fell for 76, attempting an expansive shot against Rachin Ravindra.

Phillips’ Spectacular Fielding Effort

Glenn Phillips continued his stellar fielding performances in the tournament with yet another breathtaking catch. He had already taken stunning grabs against Pakistan and India in earlier matches, and he repeated the feat in the final by dismissing Shubman Gill with a diving effort in the covers.

His brilliance in the field momentarily brought New Zealand back into the game.

Kohli Fails to Deliver

Virat Kohli, who had been in great form throughout the tournament, failed to deliver in the final. He was dismissed for just 1 run, trapped LBW by Michael Bracewell. His early departure put India in a tricky situation, especially with Rohit also getting out soon after.

With two of India’s most experienced batters back in the pavilion, the game suddenly became wide open.

Shreyas-Axar’s Crucial Partnership

With India under pressure, Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel steadied the ship. They played calculated cricket, focusing on strike rotation rather than attacking recklessly.

Their 61-run partnership brought India back into a comfortable position. However, Shreyas fell for 48 after being dropped earlier, while Axar was dismissed for 29 after an unnecessary aggressive shot.

Rahul and Hardik Seal the Win

Despite losing wickets, India never lost control. KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya played with great composure, waiting for the right moment to attack. They neutralized New Zealand’s spinners and capitalized on the pacers once their spells were over.

Though Hardik lost his wicket near the end, India comfortably chased down the target with four wickets in hand. The winning moment came when Ravindra Jadeja smashed a boundary, sparking celebrations among Indian fans.

With this victory, India reaffirmed its dominance in world cricket, winning yet another ICC trophy under Rohit Sharma’s leadership.