Photo : AP
The Indian cricket team sealed back-to-back International Cricket Council (ICC) titles after beating New Zealand in the final of the 2025 Champions Trophy at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday by four wickets. This is the third time (2nd Outright) the Men in Blue have won the title. This victory also means that the Men in Blue have won consecutive ICC titles for the first time in history after lifting the 2024 T20 World Cup. Previously, only Australia achieved the feat (2006 Champions Trophy, 2007 World Cup 2023 World Test Championship, and 2023 World Cup).
India won all five games in the tournament to replicate their 2013 title under MS Dhoni’s leadership. The Rohit Sharma-led side also won the T20 World Cup last year without losing any match. Over the last three ICC tournaments, India lost just one match having reached the 2023 World Cup final with 10 wins in a row.
Rohit Sharma Leads From the Front
Chasing 252, Indian captain Rohit Sharma and vice-captain Shubman Gill took the Men in Blue off to a quick start with a 106-run opening partnership. Glenn Phillips pulled off a stunning catch to end the partnership as Gill departed after making 31 runs in 47 balls. Gill’s departure triggered a collapse as Virat Kohli failed to continue this golden run of form with Michael Bracewell trapping him in front of the stumps in the second delivery of his innings. Skipper Rohit was outfoxed by Rachin Ravindra but by then the India captain had caused significant damage with his 83-ball 76 run inning.
Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel put India back on track in the run-chase with a gritty partnership of 62 runs. However, Santner kept New Zealand in the game after dismissing Shreyas for 48 while Bracewell sent Axar Patel (29) back to the dressing room soon after.
However, KL Rahul (34*) and Hardik Pandya (18) held their nerve with a crucial 38-run partnership to take India close to the target before Ravindra Jadeja hit the winning runs.
Indian Spinners Spin A Web Over New Zealand
Rachin Ravindra, who came into the game on the back of two centuries in three matches in the tournament, gave New Zealand a quick-fire start with a knock of 37 in 29 balls. Rachin and Will Young added 57 in just 47 balls for the opening stand, which was broken by Varun Chakravarthy.
Later, Kuldeep Yadav turned the match on its head after dismissing Rachin in the first ball of his spell. The star wrist spinner put the Men in Blue on top after dismissing Kane Williamson for 11 as New Zealand were forced to enter a rebuilding phase.
Daryl Mitchell led a lone fight for New Zealand with a gritty knock of 63 in the middle overs. Tom Latham failed to leave a mark as Ravindra Jadeja dismissed him after he made just 11 runs. Micheal Bracewell gave his team a quick-fire finish with a 40-ball 53, that propelled the Black Caps to 251 after 50 overs.
