India etched their name in history as they clinched the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 title, securing a four-wicket victory over New Zealand in a thrilling final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Rohit Sharma led from the front with a scintillating 76 off 83 balls, setting the perfect platform for India’s chase of 252. Despite a late surge from New Zealand’s spinners, India held their nerves, with KL Rahul (34) and Ravindra Jadeja (9) steering the team home in the final over. The triumph marked India’s third Champions Trophy title, cementing their dominance in global cricket.
Rohit Sharma’s aggressive knock lays the foundation for India’s chase
Chasing a competitive 252, Rohit came out with intent, attacking the Kiwi pacers early to ensure India remained in control. His 105-run partnership with Shubman Gill (31 off 50) provided India with a commanding start. Rohit played with authority, dispatching seven boundaries and three sixes, nullifying the threat of New Zealand’s new-ball bowlers.
However, just when India seemed to be cruising, New Zealand clawed back into the contest. Gill fell to a moment of brilliance from Glenn Phillips, and Virat Kohli‘s stay was short-lived, dismissed lbw by Michael Bracewell for just 1 run. Rohit’s departure at 122/3 in the 26th over further shifted the momentum, putting India under slight pressure.
At this crucial juncture, Shreyas Iyer (48 off 62) and Axar Patel (29 off 40) stepped up, keeping the scoreboard ticking. Their 61-run partnership for the fourth wicket ensured India remained on track, resisting the spin duo of Mitchell Santner and Rachin Ravindra. Though Iyer and Patel fell in quick succession, Rahul (34 off 33) and Jadeja (9 off 6) displayed composure under pressure, taking India home with six balls to spare.
Also WATCH: Glenn Phillips plucks a one-handed screamer to dismiss Shubman Gill in Champions Trophy 2025 final clash
India’s bowlers shine to restrict New Zealand to 251
After losing the toss, India produced a clinical bowling performance, preventing New Zealand from posting a formidable total on a slow Dubai surface. Varun Chakravarthy (2/45) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/40) were exceptional, dismantling the Kiwi middle order and stifling their scoring rate.
New Zealand got off to a promising start, with Rachin Ravindra (37 off 29) and Will Young (15 off 23) ensuring an aggressive powerplay. But Kuldeep’s magic delivery to bowl Ravindra triggered a slowdown, and Kane Williamson (11) soon followed suit, dismissed by the left-arm wrist spinner.
Daryl Mitchell (63 off 101) stood firm, anchoring the innings, but struggled to accelerate against India’s disciplined spin attack. Tom Latham (14 off 30) and Phillips (34 off 52) chipped in, but wickets at regular intervals meant New Zealand couldn’t build strong partnerships.
Bracewell (53 off 40) played a counter-attacking knock, smashing three fours and two sixes to push New Zealand past 250. However, with Mohammed Shami (1/74) and Pandya (0/30 in 3 overs) proving expensive, India’s spinners ensured the Kiwis never gained full momentum. Jadeja (1/30 in 10 overs) was outstanding, applying relentless pressure in the middle overs. New Zealand’s total of 251/7 was competitive but not enough to challenge India’s deep batting lineup. With this victory, India continued their dominance in ICC events, securing their third Champions Trophy title, adding to their 2002 (joint-winners) and 2013 triumphs.
Here’s how fans and experts reacted:
Champions Trophy CHAMPION…. Yeeeeehhhhh…. 😊🇮🇳
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 9, 2025
A victory that scripts history.
Congratulations to Team India on clinching a stunning victory in the ICC #ChampionsTrophy2025. Your fiery energy and unassailable dominance on the pitch made the nation proud, setting a new benchmark for cricketing excellence.
May you always come… pic.twitter.com/SC22G8c3OF
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) March 9, 2025
Congrats to Team India on an Outstanding and Comprehensive Champions Trophy Victory.#ChampionsTrophy2025 #INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/OHNK7rZYj0
— Mammootty (@mammukka) March 9, 2025
Most of the 2011 WC was in March and also the business end of this CT. Which proves one thing. No one can outperform Indians when it comes to achieving targets in March closing 😉 #INDvNZ #ChampionsTrophyFinal
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) March 9, 2025
Rohit Sharma is a true leader—always bringing the team together and looking out for his players. He pushes everyone to be their best and truly deserves all the success and more! @ImRo45
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) March 9, 2025
It was always going to be a hard fought win for the indian team and what a win indeed it has been for this super team!! 😊💪🏾💪🏾
— Robbie Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) March 9, 2025
𝗖. 𝗛. 𝗔. 𝗠. 𝗣. 𝗜. 𝗢. 𝗡. 𝗦! 🇮🇳🏆 🏆 🏆
The Rohit Sharma-led #TeamIndia are ICC #ChampionsTrophy 2025 𝙒𝙄𝙉𝙉𝙀𝙍𝙎 👏 👏
Take A Bow! 🙌 🙌#INDvNZ | #Final | @ImRo45 pic.twitter.com/ey2llSOYdG
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 9, 2025
Congratulations Team India on an exceptional win. The best team in the tournament and deserved winners of the #ChampionsTrophy . pic.twitter.com/dIZx8I2cXB
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) March 9, 2025
𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐱 𝟑🏆🇮🇳#INDvNZ #ChampionsTrophy #MumbaiIndians pic.twitter.com/J3q7c4niqr
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 9, 2025
Congratulations, Team India 🇮🇳
Scorecard: https://t.co/E1PcV2K7cQ#cricket #INDvsNZ #ChampionsTrophy2025 #ODI pic.twitter.com/fLFl6QAmN9
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) March 9, 2025
