In a nerve-shredding final under the floodlights of Dubai, India edged past New Zealand by four wickets, clinching their third ICC Champions Trophy title in dramatic fashion. A tense chase, a captain’s masterclass, and a final-over finish – the match had it all.
Chasing a competitive 251-7, India looked in command early on as Rohit Sharma led from the front with a blistering 76 off 83 balls, smashing seven fours and three sixes to set the tempo. But when wickets began tumbling in the middle overs, the tension in the stands grew palpable.
Enter KL Rahul – India’s unflinching finisher. With 34 off 41 balls*, he held his nerve as Hardik Pandya’s quickfire 18 added much-needed momentum. In the final over, with the pressure sky-high and just a few runs needed, Rahul punched the ball through the covers, sealing victory with just six balls to spare.
The win marked India’s 23rd triumph in 24 ICC matches since 2023 – the only blemish on their near-perfect record being the 2023 World Cup final loss to Australia.
Earlier, Daryl Mitchell (64) and Michael Bracewell (58) steered New Zealand to 251-7, battling a sluggish, two-paced Dubai pitch after electing to bat first. The Blackcaps’ hopes of setting a higher total were thwarted by India’s disciplined bowling attack, with key wickets falling at crucial moments.
India’s response was electric at first, with Sharma setting the stage for what looked like a straightforward chase. But New Zealand, known for their resilience in ICC events, clawed their way back with quick wickets, ensuring a nail-biting finish that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
This wasn’t just another final. New Zealand and India’s ICC encounters have been etched in cricketing history – from New Zealand’s heartbreak for India in the 2019 World Cup semifinal to India’s painful loss in the 2021 World Test Championship final. But tonight, India exacted revenge, lifting the trophy in front of a roaring Dubai crowd.
For New Zealand, the wait for another ICC limited-overs trophy continues, their last and only triumph coming in 2000, when they stunned India in the Champions Trophy final in Nairobi.
While Pakistan was the official host, political tensions kept India from traveling across the border, leading to all their matches being staged in Dubai. Despite the uncertainty, India remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, conquering Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand in the group stage, before knocking out Australia in the semifinals.
Meanwhile, New Zealand’s campaign took them across Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore, before arriving in Dubai for the grand showdown. Their semifinal victory over South Africa in Lahore was a gritty display, but they fell short when it mattered most.
With this victory, India further cements its dominance in world cricket, proving yet again that they are the team to beat in ICC events. With another trophy added to their illustrious cabinet, the countdown now begins to the 2027 Cricket World Cup, where these two teams could once again cross paths on cricket’s biggest stage.
Final Score:
🏆 New Zealand: 251-7 (50 overs)
🏆 India: 254-6 (49 overs)
India wins by 4 wickets.
