Rohit Sharma-led India set new ICC Champions Trophy record by becoming the first team to win the trophy for the third time after beating New Zealand in the tense Final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. It was the seventh ICC title for the India men's national cricket team.

After winning the toss, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner chose to bat first. While New Zealand scored 251/7 in 50 overs, India chased down the target in 49 overs after losing six wickets. 

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Indian spinners controlled New Zealand innings

New Zealand opener Rachin Ravindra provided a firing start as he had a 57-run opening partnership with Will Young. Although India dropped dangerous Rachin twice, Indian spinners provided a superb comeback. Indian spinners took three quick wickets as Varun Chakravarthy dismissed Young for 15 runs, while Kuldeep Yadav started the game with a wicket of Rachin Ravindra on the first delivery of the second powerplay. Also, the former Blackcaps skipper Kane Williamson was caught and bowled by Kuldeep in his second over for 11 runs. 

In the second powerplay, New Zealand never reached 40 runs in each of three 10-over slots. It ultimately proved the game-changer as New Zealand tried hard but never had strong hands in the game.

Despite facing 101 balls, Daryl Mitchell struggled and managed to score 63 runs with the help of three fours. While Glenn Phillips scored valuable 34 runs off 52 balls (two fours and one six), Michael Bracewell's 53 not out off 40 balls (three fours and two sixes) helped the Blackcaps to reach the 250-run mark. 

All the Indian spinners bowled really well. Varun Chakravarthy (2/45) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/40) bagged two wickets each, and Ravindra Jadeja had one (1/30) wicket while another disciplined spinner Axar Patel (0/29) didn't take any wickets in his eight overs. Among the pacers, Mohammad Shami got a wicket (1/74), while Hardik Pandya was expensive in his three overs (0/30).

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Indian middle-order batters handled professionally after Rohit Sharma's flying start

Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill provided a powerful start. While Gill was dropped by Daryl Mitchell at the midwicket, the openers had a 105-run partnership for the first wicket. Skipper Rohit Sharma had a flying start and completed his half-century in 41 balls. New Zealand spinners slowly made a comeback into the game after Glenn Phillips took a stunner to dismiss Gill for 31 off 50 balls. 

In the very next over, Michael Bracewell started with a wicket of Virat Kohli, who just scored one run off two balls. Struggling to score runs against Blackcaps spinners, skipper Rohit Sharma was stumped out for 76 off 83 balls, where the right-handed batter hit seven fours and three sixes. 

India were under pressure for losing three wickets in 17 runs. However, Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel handled the situation really well as they had a 61-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Iyer, who was dropped by Kyle Jamieson in the long on, was ultimately dismissed for 48 off 62 balls (two fours and two sixes).

While Patel was out after scoring 29 runs off 40 balls, KL Rahul once again comfortably moved India out from the tough situation, and Hardik Pandya produced a 38-run sixth wicket partnership to take away the game from the Blackcaps. Pandya scored run-a-ball 18, while Rahul scored brilliant 34 not out off 33 balls, and Ravindra Jadeja finished the game with a four (9*). 

New Zealand spinners were equally brilliant as Mitchell Santner (2/46), Rachin Ravindra (1/47), and Michael Bracewell (2/28) fought hard, but they required a few more runs, especially after Rohit Sharma's powerful batting. 

While the Indian skipper Rohit Sharma won the Player of the Match award, Blackcaps' all-rounder Rachin Ravindra won the Player of the Tournament award.