India Triumph over New Zealand to win third Champions Trophy

English , Snippets , Sports - کھیل اور کھلاڑی , / Sunday, March 9th, 2025

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India clinched their third Champions Trophy title with a hard-fought four-wicket victory over New Zealand in Dubai. Chasing 252, India got off to a strong start, led by captain Rohit Sharma’s commanding 76 off 83 balls. However, a sudden collapse saw them lose three wickets for just 17 runs, including Virat Kohli for one, shifting the momentum.

Shreyas Iyer (48) and Axar Patel (29) rebuilt the innings before both fell while accelerating. Hardik Pandya (18) and KL Rahul (34*) then held their nerve, ensuring India remained on track. The experienced Ravindra Jadeja sealed the win with an over to spare, flicking the winning runs off his hip.

Earlier, New Zealand posted 251-7, with Daryl Mitchell (63) and Michael Bracewell (53) leading their batting effort. India’s spinners played a crucial role in restricting New Zealand, with Kuldeep Yadav (2-40) and Varun Chakravarthy (2-45) applying pressure in the middle overs. New Zealand’s resistance and Glenn Phillips’ stunning one-handed catch briefly threatened India’s chase, but the required run rate was always in control.

This victory cements India’s dominance in white-ball cricket. Since their heartbreaking loss in the 2023 World Cup final, they have rebounded strongly, winning both the T20 World Cup and now the Champions Trophy. Their depth and composure under pressure highlight their growing strength on the global stage.

A partisan crowd in Dubai erupted in celebration as fireworks lit up the night sky. While the tournament had been overshadowed by India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the scheduled final, the climax provided an exciting finish. New Zealand fought bravely but suffered their fourth white-ball final defeat since 2015.

With the next T20 World Cup co-hosted by India in 2026, this win further solidifies their reputation as the team to beat. As veterans like Rohit and Kohli add another trophy to their illustrious careers, the challenge now lies in maintaining their dominance as a new generation of Indian cricketers emerges.