Champions Trophy Final: Nine months after winning the ICC World Cup 2024, Team India has achieved this feat once more! In an exciting finale at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 9, 2025, the Men in Blue triumphed over New Zealand, successfully chasing 252 with four wickets remaining and an over left. This triumph signifies India’s third ICC Champions Trophy championship, solidifying their position as the most formidable team in the tournament’s history.
Captain Rohit Sharma set the tone with a stylish 76 from 83 deliveries in a vital 105-run opening partnership with Shubman Gill (29). Nevertheless, New Zealand countered as Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell disrupted the middle order, removing Virat Kohli (1) and Gill in rapid succession. At 147/3, the match was up for grabs, yet Shreyas Iyer (34) and Axar Patel (27) steadied the innings, facing the Kiwi spinners skillfully.
The match became intense when Hardik Pandya (18) was dismissed with India requiring 11 runs off 15 balls. However, KL Rahul (34*) and Ravindra Jadeja (9*) stayed composed. Jadeja finished off the match brilliantly, hitting a boundary off Will O’Rourke with six deliveries remaining, sparking celebrations throughout the stadium.
This victory solidifies India’s status as a dominant force in cricket, securing two ICC trophies within less than a year. The Kiwis battled hard, but ultimately, it was India’s evening—and they savored the occasion!
Edited By Shvetank Maurya
