India vs New Zealand Final Match Highlights
On March 9, 2025, in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, tension was palpable in a nail-biting contest that saw India beat New Zealand by four wickets. This interesting match saw exemplary performances from both sides, with India chasing down the very huge target that New Zealand had set of 251-7 in 50 overs, coming back with a total of 254-6 with one over left. After winning the toss, New Zealand opted to bat.
Will Young and Rachin Ravindra added only 57 runs together in the opening, as Varun Chakaravarthy struck in the 19th over to dismiss Young LBW for 15. Ravindra, who seemed dangerous at 37 off 29, fell to Kuldeep Yadav, who also removed Kane Williamson, caught and bowled for 11. With the score reading 75-3, New Zealand were wobbling; and it was here that Daryl Mitchell’s fine innings of 63 from 101 balls brought some steadiness to the ship.
Tom Latham had a rough time with 14 runs off 30 balls before being bowled out LBW by Ravindra Jadeja. However, Glenn Phillips gave New Zealand some legs with a quick 34 before Chakaravarthy took his second wicket. If it weren’t for Michael Bracewell’s undefeated 53 off 40 deliveries, with four boundaries and a six to boot, and the cameo from Mitchell Santner, who managed just 8 runs before he was run out, New Zealand would have missed the 250 run mark.
The Indian bowlers shared the spoils, with Chakaravarthy’s 2-45 and Kuldeep’s very important 2-40 taking the center stage. Mohammed Shami, expensive at 1-74, yet handled Mitchell late, whereas Jadeja was very economical, with 1-30. New Zealand managed 69 runs off the Powerplay, thereby setting India a challenging target. India’s start was a blaze as Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill piled on the runs to reach 105 in 18.4 overs.
A quickfire 31 off 50 from Gill ended through Santner, and a rare failure for Virat Kohli saw him out lbw for 1 to Bracewell, triggering some eerie jitters on India’s side. Rohit, leading from the front, crafted a superb 76 off 83, including eight fours, before Rachin Ravindra stumped him off his own bowling. It was a vital 61-run stand with Axar Patel, who scored 29 off 40. It kept the chase alive for 48 runs off 62. Santner and Bracewell removed Iyer and Axar, respectively, making it 203-5.
Hardik Pandya did a fine job in bringing the chase closer with a quick 18 off 18 with a four and a six before Kyle Jamieson took him out at 241-6 in the 47th over to create a nervy ending. By staying not out on 34 off 33 balls, KL Rahul calmly anchored the Indian batting line-up with an even mix of ice and fire, punctuated by three fours, chasing down in good time.
He had support in the form of Ravindra Jadeja, who was not out on 9, as India crossed the winning line, in the 49th over at Dubai International Cricket Stadium amid wild celebrations. New Zealand’s bowlers toiled hard-Mitchell Santner 2-46, Michael Bracewell 2-28, and Rachin Ravindra 2-47-but couldn’t stop India’s surge. While Kyle Jamieson’s economical 1-24 made no real difference, O’Rourke’s 0-56 and Smith’s 0-22 gave little assistance.
The Powerplay with 64 runs by India did in good stead. The captaincy of Rohit Sharma and the nerve of KL Rahul surely paid off, while New Zealand had many things to regret with missed opportunities-Michael Bracewell’ flourish towards the finish aside-while India’s strength finally clinched them their thrilling title.
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