Dubai: The echoes of We Will Rock You filled the Dubai International Stadium as India celebrated a triumphant Champions Trophy victory, capping off a dominant campaign with a thrilling four-wicket win over New Zealand in the final on Sunday.
Fireworks lit up the night sky when Ravindra Jadeja elegantly pulled Will O’Rourke to the deep square leg boundary, sealing India’s chase of 252 with six balls to spare. Under the iconic Ring of Fire, Indian players erupted in joy, breaking into celebratory Gangnam Style moves on the pitch as fans in the stands roared with delight.
Flawless Campaign Culminates in Glory
Having won every match in the tournament, India entered the final as the clear favorites. However, New Zealand, determined to spoil the party, put up a strong fight. Opting to bat first, the Kiwis posted a competitive 251/7, courtesy of Daryl Mitchell’s gritty 63 off 101 balls and a late flourish from Michael Bracewell (53* off 40).
India’s spinners played a pivotal role in restricting New Zealand’s scoring, with Kuldeep Yadav (2/40), Varun Chakaravarthy (2/45), and Ravindra Jadeja (1/30) delivering crucial breakthroughs. Axar Patel, though wicketless, maintained relentless pressure with his disciplined bowling.
Rohit Sharma Leads from the Front
Chasing 252, India got off to a strong start, thanks to skipper Rohit Sharma’s sublime 76 off 83 balls. His 105-run opening stand with Shubman Gill (31) set the perfect platform. However, New Zealand’s bowlers kept chipping away, forcing India into a tense finish.
Shreyas Iyer (48 off 62) provided stability before KL Rahul (34* off 33) and Axar Patel (29 off 40) held their nerve, guiding India to victory and securing their second ICC trophy in just eight months, following the T20 World Cup triumph in June 2024.
A Moment of Redemption
“It’s an incredible feeling. We played some outstanding cricket throughout the tournament, and to lift this trophy is truly special,” said Rohit Sharma, who was named Man of the Match for his captain’s knock.
Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav’s game-changing spell in the middle overs turned the tide in India’s favor. He dismissed Rachin Ravindra (37 off 29) with a stunning delivery before removing New Zealand’s captain Kane Williamson (11 off 14) in quick succession.
“I don’t believe in favorites, but we knew we had the team to win. The credit goes to the management and Rohit bhai for backing us,” Yadav said.
Kohli’s Rare Failure, But No Shortage of Passion
The only disappointment for Indian fans in the packed stadium was Virat Kohli’s rare failure with the bat, falling for just one run to Bracewell. Yet, the veteran batter was among the first to rush onto the field when Jadeja hit the winning shot.
“It’s been an incredible journey. After the tough Australia tour, we wanted to bounce back. This team has so many young players stepping up, and they’re taking India forward,” said Kohli, who amassed 218 runs in the tournament.
Dominance Despite Criticism
Critics may point out India’s advantage of playing all their matches in Dubai, while other teams had to travel between venues, including Pakistan. But champions prove themselves on the field, and India did just that—dominating with both bat and ball. Their spinners choked opponents with accuracy and turn, while their batting lineup displayed composure under pressure.
As the dust settles on this thrilling tournament, one thing is certain—India was the undisputed best team in the Champions Trophy, and they proved it with a performance worthy of champions.
Match Summary:
🔹 New Zealand – 251/7 in 50 overs (D. Mitchell 63, M. Bracewell 53*, R. Ravindra 37; K. Yadav 2/40, V. Chakaravarthy 2/45)
🔹 India – 254/6 in 49 overs (R. Sharma 76, S. Iyer 48, KL Rahul 34*; M. Bracewell 2/28, M. Santner 2/46)
🏆 Result: India won by 4 wickets
🪙 Toss: New Zealand