DUBAI: Rohit Sharma scored a match-winning fifty as India defeated New Zealand by four wickets in the Champions Trophy 2025 final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Chasing 252, India reached the target with six wickets down and six balls to spare, securing their third Champions Trophy title.
India started strong with an opening stand of 105 in 18.3 overs before Shubman Gill was dismissed for 31 off 50 balls. Virat Kohli followed soon after, scoring just one run off two balls.
Shreyas Iyer joined Rohit Sharma, but the India captain’s innings ended at 76 off 83 balls on the first delivery of the 26th over, leaving India at 122/3. Iyer and Axar Patel then built a 61-run partnership, taking India to 183 in 38.3 overs.
Iyer was dismissed for 48 off 62 balls, bringing KL Rahul to the crease. Patel scored 29 off 40 before departing, leaving India needing 49 runs to win. Hardik Pandya added 18 off 18, forming a crucial 38-run stand with Rahul.
Ravindra Jadeja joined Rahul as India required 11 off 15 deliveries. Rahul remained unbeaten on 34 as India successfully chased 252 in 49 overs.
Earlier, Daryl Mitchell’s fifty helped New Zealand set a target of 252. Openers Will Young and Rachin Ravindra started well after New Zealand opted to bat first.
Varun Chakravarthy dismissed Young for 15 off 23, followed by Rachin Ravindra’s departure for 37 off 29, reducing New Zealand to 69/2 in 10 overs. Kane Williamson’s short stay of 11 ended with Kuldeep Yadav’s breakthrough. Tom Latham fell for 14 off 30, leaving New Zealand at 108/4.
Glenn Phillips and Mitchell built a 57-run stand before Phillips departed for 34 off 52. Mitchell’s 63 off 101 ended in the 45th over. Michael Bracewell’s unbeaten 53 pushed New Zealand to 251/7 in 50 overs.
Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav took two wickets each, while Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja picked up one apiece.
