India clinch Champions Trophy by thumping New Zealand.
Rohit Sharma and Sheryas Iyer power India to clinch Champions Trophy 2025 by beating New Zealand at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, reported The Asian Mirror.
Chasing a target of 252, the Indian team achieved the milestone in 49 overs after losing six wickets.
Opening the innings, India faced an early setback when star batsman Virat Kohli was dismissed cheaply for just one run.
Meanwhile, young opener Shubman Gill managed to contribute 31 runs before also falling to New Zealand’s disciplined bowling attack.
Despite these losses, India’s batting remains steady, with captain Rohit Sharma and the middle-order batsman Shreyas looking to build a strong foundation for the chase.
As the final progresses, both teams remain locked in an intense battle, with New Zealand aiming to tighten their grip through their bowling attack and India striving to maintain control of the chase.
Earlier, Daryl Mitchell and Bracewell fifties propelled New Zealand to post a competitive 252-run target for India.
Kiwis could score 251 runs for seven wickets in 50 mandatory overs.
Opting to bat first on a turning track, the Kiwis got off to a solid start with in-form openers Will Young and Rachin Ravindra accumulating 57 runs in the first seven overs.
However, India’s spinners quickly turned the tide. Will Young was dismissed for 15 and trapped lbw by Varun Chakravarthy.
Rachin Ravindra, who looked promising with a 37-run knock, fell to Kuldeep Yadav. Kane Williamson, tasked with steadying the innings, could only manage 11 before also succumbing to Kuldeep’s spin.
Tom Latham (14) followed suit, leaving New Zealand struggling at 108-4 in 23.2 overs.
With the team in trouble, Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell built a crucial partnership. Phillips scored a gritty 34 off 52 balls in challenging conditions before departing, while Mitchell anchored the innings with a determined 63 off 101 deliveries.
Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy were the standout bowlers for India, each claiming two wickets and keeping New Zealand’s scoring in check.
With a competitive total on the board, the final now sets the stage for an intense chase as India looks to lift the trophy.
India’s playing XI:
India’s probable playing XI includes Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, and Varun Chakaravarthy.
New Zealand’s playing XI:
New Zealand’s probable lineup features Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Tom Latham (wicketkeeper), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (captain), Kyle Jamieson, William O’Rourke, and Nathan Smith.
As millions of cricket fans eagerly watch, only time will tell whether India claims its third Champions Trophy or New Zealand makes history with a second title.
