Jammu & Kashmir I March 9, 2025 – India has emerged victorious in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, securing a record third title with a nail-biting four-wicket win over New Zealand at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. The Men in Blue, led by captain Rohit Sharma, chased down a target of 252 with an over to spare, finishing the tournament unbeaten and cementing their dominance in the competition.
The final, which drew a sold-out crowd of 25,000, showcased India’s resilience and depth. New Zealand, batting first, posted a competitive 251, thanks to a spirited performance from their top order. However, India’s bowlers, including spinners Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel, along with pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, kept the Kiwi scoring in check, strangling their middle overs.
In response, India’s chase began strongly with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill laying a solid foundation. Despite a mid-innings wobble that saw them at 248-6 after 48.2 overs, Ravindra Jadeja (4*) and KL Rahul (33*) held their nerve. Jadeja sealed the victory in style, pulling a boundary off Will O’Rourke in the 49th over, sparking wild celebrations among the Indian contingent and fans.
This triumph marks India’s third Champions Trophy win, breaking a tie with Australia for the most titles in the tournament’s history. India previously won in 2002 (shared with Sri Lanka) and 2013 under MS Dhoni. The victory also served as redemption against New Zealand, who had beaten India in the 2000 Champions Trophy final and held a 3-2 edge in ICC knockout encounters prior to this match.
The victory caps a remarkable tournament for India, who topped Group A and defeated Australia in the semifinal. For New Zealand, the loss adds to their history of near-misses in ICC finals, despite a strong showing that included a semifinal win over South Africa.
As the fireworks lit up the Dubai sky, India’s players lifted the coveted trophy, a testament to their skill, strategy, and unyielding spirit on the global stage.