Rohit Sharma’s India win Champions Trophy, outclass New Zealand in battle of grit

It was a second of validation for India’s remodelled ODI strategy as Rohit Sharma’s males received their first main title within the 50-over format in 12 years. India defeated New Zealand by 4 wickets within the Champions Trophy 2025 closing to safe the highest prize in Dubai on Sunday, March 09.

India turned the primary workforce to win the Champions Trophy for the third time, overtaking two-time winners Australia. And Rohit Sharma turned solely the second India captain after MS Dhoni to win multiple title in ICC males’s white-ball cricket. IND vs NZ, FINAL: HIGHLIGHTS

CAPTAIN ROHIT LEADS FROM THE FRONT

Led by Rohit Sharma’s trademark 76 and an all-round bowling present from their fearsome spin quartet, India received the battle of grit in opposition to New Zealand, who’ve been their nemesis in ICC tournaments. Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy shone with the ball, taking two wickets every as New Zealand fluffed a stable begin to put up 251, a par whole on the sluggish pitch in Dubai.

Rohit Sharma performed the captain’s knock, reaffirming his dedication to the all-or-nothing fashion. He was within the temper to smash just a few into the stands from the phrase go and his potential to misx a little bit of warning on Sunday paid off. Rohit, nevertheless, was not capable of keep until the top and see by the chase regardless of shouldering the burdern of run-scoring within the middle-order after opener Shubman Gill and star batter Virat Kohli failed.

Shreyas Iyer performed a vital hand, hitting 48 after which KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya saved their calm and took India nearer to the end line. The chase was at all times on the rope as India misplaced Hardik on the demise.

Nevertheless, KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja ensured India sealed the win and a spot in historical past within the forty ninth over.

Earlier within the day, India relied on their spin quartet to wrest again management after a blazing begin to the New Zealand innings, courtesy of Rachin Ravindra. Captain Mitchell Santner, who handed Rohit Sharma his twelfth successive loss on the toss, didn’t hesitate to bat first on a pitch that appeared bone-dry below the afternoon solar.

Nevertheless, Rachin Ravindra batted as if he had been enjoying in Lahore, the place a number of the flattest surfaces within the event had been on show. The left-handed opener, contemporary from a century in opposition to South Africa within the semi-final, took the assault to India’s quick bowlers, Mohammed Shami and Hardik Pandya. Rachin was at his greatest, standing tall in opposition to the quicks and enjoying them with the identical authority that has propelled him to stardom as one of many next-generation stars.

Rohit Sharma was pressured to show to spin as early because the sixth over, handing the ball to Varun Chakravarthy looking for a breakthrough. New Zealand raced previous 50 within the seventh over, inflicting concern amongst Indian followers within the stands.

India’s fielding didn’t assist, as they dropped the damaging Rachin twice within the powerplay-once by Mohammed Shami and once more by Shreyas Iyer. Nevertheless, the breakthrough lastly got here when Varun Chakravarthy castled Will Younger, breaking a 58-run opening partnership.

ROHIT SHARMA AT HIS TACTICAL BEST

Rohit persevered with Mohammed Shami from one finish till the top of the powerplay, however as soon as the fielding restrictions had been lifted, he turned to spin from each ends. Earlier than choosing Axar Patel or Ravindra Jadeja, Rohit turned to Kuldeep Yadav, who had gone wicketless within the semi-final in opposition to Australia.

The transfer labored wonders as Kuldeep Yadav struck with the very first supply of his spell, dismissing the massive fish-Rachin Ravindra. Kuldeep slipped in a mistaken’un, providing no sighter to Rachin and reaping the rewards. Rachin appeared like 1,000,000 {dollars} within the center and appeared set for an enormous rating, however he was undone by Kuldeep’s mastery.

There was extra pleasure for Rohit and the Indian followers as Kuldeep claimed the essential wicket of Kane Williamson for 11. The previous New Zealand captain was deceived by the dearth of tempo, with the ball stopping on the pitch and forcing a vanguard.

New Zealand misplaced three wickets for simply 18 runs as soon as spin was launched.

Tom Latham and Daryl Mitchell had been subjected to a stern trial by spin thereafter. The 2 added 33 runs for the fourth wicket, however it took them 66 deliveries.

Including to New Zealand’s woes, Ravindra Jadeja trapped Latham LBW for 14. Struggling to get a transfer on, the New Zealand Check captain succumbed to the stress, scoring at a strike fee of lower than 50.

Glenn Phillips tried to speed up throughout his 57-run stand with Daryl Mitchell. He appeared proactive at the beginning of his innings, even smashing Kuldeep into the stands as soon as. Nevertheless, he too discovered himself suffocated by India’s spin stranglehold.

Rohit was at his tactical greatest, utilising the weapons in his four-man spin assault to perfection. He rotated his spinners briefly spells, stopping the New Zealand batters from settling.

Varun Chakravarthy was excellent within the center overs, preserving it tight and attacking the stumps. Ravindra Jadeja was equally efficient, turning into the primary to finish his quota of 10 overs.

Glenn Phillips was ultimately dismissed for 34 by a wonderful googly from Varun, rising the stress on New Zealand.

Michael Bracewell supplied some reduction for the Kiwis in opposition to the Indian spinners, putting a brisk 53 off 40 deliveries. Nevertheless, Mitchell didn’t convert his sluggish knock right into a extra substantial one, falling to Mohammed Shami for 63 within the forty sixth over.