On a glorious night in Dubai, under the dazzling lights of the International Stadium, India stamped their authority on the world stage yet again, clinching their third Champions Trophy title with a commanding four-wicket victory over New Zealand.
Leading from the front, captain Rohit Sharma produced a masterclass in strokeplay, his fluent 76 laying the foundation for what would ultimately be a triumphant chase of 252.
India’s bowling, led by the artistry of its spinners, turned the final into a stranglehold for the Black Caps. The trio of Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja weaved a web of deception around New Zealand’s batting order, choking the run flow and taking key wickets at crucial junctures.
Though all-rounders Daryl Mitchell (63 off 101 balls) and Michael Bracewell (53* off 40 balls) attempted to inject some late momentum, New Zealand’s total of 251/7 felt short of what was required to trouble a batting powerhouse like India.
Rohit, a man for the big occasions, played with typical elegance and authority, his innings peppered with sumptuous drives, exquisite pull shots and deft placements.
Partnering with his deputy Shubman Gill, the duo stitched together a solid 105-run opening stand, making light work of New Zealand’s early bowling effort. But just when it seemed like India would cruise to victory, the Black Caps fought back, claiming wickets in quick succession.
Gill departed first, falling to catch that would be etched in the memory forever - a breathtaking fusion of skill and poice. Glenn Phillips, suspended mid-air, seemed to defy gravity itself, his body curving to pluck it, as if time had slowed just to showcase his elegance.
The ever-reliable Virat Kohli also perished, and then, much to the dismay of Indian fans, Rohit himself fell after his exhilarating 83-ball stay at the crease. The game was suddenly thrown wide open, with New Zealand sniffing a chance to claw their way back.
But India’s depth in batting shone through. Shreyas Iyer played a composed 48 off 62 balls, while KL Rahul, embodying the definition of a calm finisher, remained unbeaten on 34 off 33 balls. Axar Patel (20) and Hardik Pandya (18) chipped in with timely blows, ensuring that India’s chase never veered too far off track.
Earlier in the match, New Zealand had shown glimpses of fight, especially after being put on the back foot by India's spinners. Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy picked up two wickets each, while Jadeja added another to his name.
Their combined efforts stifled New Zealand in the middle overs, bringing their scoring rate down to just 3.30 between the 11th and 30th overs. The late resurgence, led by Mitchell and Bracewell, helped New Zealand add 50 runs in the final five overs, but it ultimately proved insufficient.
As Rahul guided the winning runs past the infield, the Indian contingent in the stands erupted in celebration. It was a moment of vindication, a moment of history. With this victory, India not only secured their third Champions Trophy title — the most by any team in the tournament’s history — but also reaffirmed their supremacy in global cricket.
Under Rohit Sharma’s astute leadership, India’s blend of experience and youthful exuberance had once again conquered the grandest stage, etching another golden chapter in their storied cricketing legacy.
