India vs New Zealand Highlights: Fourth ICC title for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli; Top performers, Player of the Match and many more
India vs New Zealand Highlights: The India vs New Zealand match between the two most consistent teams in limited-overs cricket marked a stellar Champions Trophy final since both teams were stunningly fighting for a low-scoring thriller in Dubai.
India entered the finals as the heavyweights and a huge effort from the Indian players to secure a win in one of the most exciting encounters for them and one of the best displays of team game in an ICC final.
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma once again lost the toss and the Kiwi skipper chose to bat first on a slow track, as chasing would be a tough job to do on this track. However, India too had plans up their sleeves and something was in store with a clear strategy of playing 4 frontline spinners.
Indian spinner had their say to limit the Blackcaps
Indian pacers were taken for granted by the inform Rachin Ravindra who excelled at the top of the order, as New Zealand were off to a flying start in the earlier overs of the powerplay.
However, skipper Sharma then quickly introduced his star spinner Varun Chakravarthy into the powerplay thus bringing glory to the side with Young’s wicket. Kuldeep Yadav hurled onto the stumps of a set Ravindra and surprised a Cool Kane which turned the game for India.
Jadeja and Axar’s economical overs were the essential juncture of the game as New Zealand despite some clean hitting late in the death overs could manage only 251 on the board.
A true Captains knock as India chase with 4 wickets remaining
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma played a true captain's knock as he delivered on this vital occasion of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final, as he set the stage for a perfect chase with a quick 76-run inning at the top of the order.
Later despite New Zealand striking at several crucial junctures of the Indian innings and their valiant efforts on field, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya and Jadeja all responded firmly to secure India’s 7th title in senior men’s cricket.
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Top Performers:
Undoubtedly Rohit Sharma remains India’s top performer with the bat. The way Rohit batted up the order for his 76 seemed to stun all, as he set the stage for the other batters to come and just have their time. Shreyas Iyer’s 48 and KL Rahul's run-a-ball 34 secured India what they longed for 12 years over the past.
Though the batters received immense praise, as Shreyas Iyer also turned out as India’s highest run-getter in the tournament, New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra was awarded the Player of the Tournament to start his not-so-experienced ICC campaign with a great Champions trophy debut having scored the most runs in the edition.
The bowlers also stole the show with their efforts, Ravindra Jadeja with his accurate and economical spells, while Kuldeep Yadav almost turned the game 360 degrees with his first spell. While for the Kiwis as well skipper Santner and Bracewell would have their heads high with the efforts they made on field.
Overall, India are once again the World Champions and now the most successful team in the history of the Champions Trophy with 3 titles to their name.
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