The 15-day tournament ICC Champions Trophy 2025 finally ended in a thriller where India defeated New Zealand in the Final in Dubai to create history by becoming the first team to lift the trophy thrice. 

Pakistan hosted the ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy, which makes a return after eight years. Apart from the hosts Pakistan, who also started the tournament as the defending champions, India, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, England, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan participated in the tournament. 

Except India, all other seven teams, including the hosts Pakistan played in Pakistan, while the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates hosted all Indian games. While Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore could host the Final if India failed to qualify, India's qualification to the Final denied that.

On Sunday, March 9, 2025, India faced New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final. After New Zealand chose to bat first, they scored 251/7 in 50 overs. In reply, India chased down the target in 49 overs after losing six wickets and lifted the trophy after 12 years. After winning the ICC Champions Trophy in the 2002 (co-winners with the hosts Sri Lanka) and 2013 editions, India became the first team to lift the ICC Champions Trophy for the third time. 

Also Watch: People Across India Celebrate Champions Trophy 2025 Victory in Grand Style

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Tournament Awards

Player of the Match in the Final: Rohit Sharma (India) - 76 runs

Player of the Tournament: Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand) - 263 runs and 3 wickets

Champions: India (3rd title)

Runners-up: New Zealand

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Prize Money Details (Total Tournament Prize Money for Teams USD 6.9 million)

Champions: India - USD 2.24 million

Runners-up: New Zealand - USD 1.12 million

Semi-finalists: Australia and South Africa - USD 560,000 for each team

5th and 6th places: Afghanistan and Bangladesh - USD 350,000 for each team

7th and 8th places: Pakistan and England - USD 140,000 for each team

Each win in the group stage: USD 34,000

Participation prize money: USD 125,000 for each team

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. 

See Also: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Celebrate India’s Champions Trophy Win with Dandiya

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).

Look Also: Rohit Sharma’s special insane stats you didn’t know about

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.  

Dubai International Cricket Stadium is hosting the India vs New Zealand match in the Final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. While Indian spinners completely dominated, the all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja's retirement speculation has suddenly risen after completing his 10-over quota. 

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner had no hesitation to choose bat first after winning the toss in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final. Although the Blackcaps had a strong start, mainly thanks to the opener Rachin Ravindra, Indian spinners controlled the first innings as the Kiwis struggled to bring any solid answers.

New Zealand openers Will Young and Rachin Ravindra had a 57-run partnership for the first wicket, where Rachin was smashing the Indian bowlers. Indian cricketers were more frustrated after giving two lives to the left-handed opening batter, who was completely looking dangerous. 

Then the Indian spinners came to dominate. Once the first wicket fell in the eighth over, as Young was dismissed by Varun Chakravarthy, Indian spinners completely suffocated Kiwi batters with their impressive line and length deliveries consistently, especially when the turning was lower than the other Champions Trophy 2025 matches in Dubai. 

See Also: Kuldeep Yadav Double Wickets Blow Breaks The Jinks Of Not Taking Wickets In ICC Knockouts Game

Ravindra Jadeja was superb with the ball in the Final

Ravindra Jadeja was once again excellent with the ball in hand as he had the bowling figures of 10-0-30-1. The left-arm spinner conceded only one four and recorded 35 dot balls, while taking the wicket of Tom Latham.  Once Jadeja completed his over, former Indian captain Virat Kohli hugged the Indian all-rounder. It may be an appreciation for impressive bowling performance, but it can be a sign of retirement as Kohli has the natural gesture similarly to appreciate a player for the last time. While the Indian fans are hoping for the false retirement speculation about Jadeja, only time will tell the story. 

Virat Kohli hugged Ravindra Jadeja after he completed his last over. . Appreciation or Sign of Retirement? Jadeja playing his last ODI today ? #INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/1FDYq9pjgS

— Shubhankar Mishra (@shubhankrmishra) March 9, 2025

#INDvsNZ #Jadeja pic.twitter.com/DDefg0wrvd

— MSD Fan (@KelieBro) March 9, 2025

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Bowler Ravindra Jadeja was outstanding 

In the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Jadeja picked up five wickets, but his economy rate was 4.35 after delivering 42 overs. In the entire tournament, the left-arm spinner delivered 127 dot balls and conceded only 10 fours and two sixes. 

India and New Zealand are battling in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final, but the leading wicket-taker of the tournament Matt Henry missed out on the Final due to injury, which brought tears to his eyes after learning his fitness test failure.  

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Matt Henry picked up 10 wickets

The 33-year-old New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry is the leading wicket-taker in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, at least before the Final of the tournament, as the right-arm pacer picked up 10 wickets in four games. Henry took wickets in all matches of the tournament, while he was the star for the Blackcaps during the India vs New Zealand Group A match of the tournament. Dubai International Cricket Stadium hosted that match where Henry claimed a fifer to restrict India to 249 runs. Although New Zealand lost that match by 44 runs, Henry's performance was praised by experts. 

Henry took two wickets against Pakistan and one wicket against Bangladesh in the other matches of the group stage. In the high-scoring Semi-final against South Africa, Henry bagged two wickets, as he had the bowling figures of 7-0-43-2 on the tough bowling pitch. However, Henry sustained a shoulder injury during the Semi-final of the tournament while he was catching to dismiss Heinrich Klaasen. While he was hugely doubtful for the Final, it was confirmed on Sunday just before the toss as he failed the fitness test. Despite trying his best, Henry didn't have the luck to play in the Final.  

See Also: Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal Spotted with Mystery Women During IND vs NZ Match

Matt Henry was crying

After knowing that miss the Final, Henry was seen crying. Surely, it was heartbreaking for anyone, while he was one of the most important bowlers for the Blackcaps. Meanwhile, it could be some relief for India.

BREAKING: Matt Henry is OUT of the ICC Champions Trophy final with a shoulder injury 🚨 pic.twitter.com/qmBvTmVsiD

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) March 9, 2025

The India vs New Zealand match in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final started in a dramatic way. After the Blackcaps openers provided a strong start, especially in-form Rachin Ravindra, Indian spinners strongly made a comeback, while Kuldeep Yadav started the Final with a wicket of dangerous Rachin.

Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates is hosting the Final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner chose to bat first on the tricky surface. 

Also Watch: Kane Williamson’s Wicket Puts New Zealand in Trouble

Will Young and Rachin Ravindra had 57-run opening partnership

New Zealand opener Rachin Ravindra provided a flying start. Blackcaps openers Will Young and Rachin Ravindra had a 57-run partnership for the first wicket, which they accumulated in eight overs. Since the Indian spinners started to bowl in the match, Kiwi batters have struggled to continue their strong batting performance. 

During the 57-run opening partnership, Rachin was dropped twice. The pacer Mohammed Shami dropped him for 28 runs on his delivery as he missed the caught and bowled opportunity. In the next over, Varun Chakravarthy created a chance as Rachin was on 29 runs when Shreyas Iyer just failed to grab a catch at deep. India were frustrated with those missed chances, while Rachin was scoring quickly.

Ultimately, Chakravarthy produced the first wicket for India as Will Young was lbw in the eighth over after scoring 15 off 23 balls with two fours.

Kuldeep Yadav started second powerplay by dismissing Rachin Ravindra

After New Zealand completed the first powerplay at 69/1, and they lost dangerous Rachin on the first ball of the second powerplay. It was the first ball for Kuldeep Yadav in the Final and he started with a great wicket as he bowled Rachin. It was a slow googly, and Rachin failed to read that delivery which cost him the wicket as the ball destroyed the stumps. Without a doubt, it was a very important wicket for India.

CASTLED! | \ | #KuldeepYadav makes the impact straightaway, as #RachinRavindra is cleaned up courtesy a sharp googly! 💪🏻#ChampionsTrophyOnJioStar FINAL 👉 #INDvNZ | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Sports 2 & Sports18-1!

📺📱 Start Watching FREE on… pic.twitter.com/VEl1RJOxfE

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 9, 2025

We are ready for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final as India and New Zealand are facing each other at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday (March 9). It is the battle between two-time winners India (2002 as co-winners and 2013) and one-time champions New Zealand (2000).

India and New Zealand were both Group A teams in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Both confirmed their places for the Semi-finals before facing each other in the last group stage game. India beat Bangladesh and Pakistan by six wickets each in Dubai, while New Zealand started the tournament with a 60-run win and beat Bangladesh by five wickets in Pakistan. Dubai hosted India vs New Zealand Group A match, where India won by 44 runs, thanks to Varun Chakravarthy's maiden ODI fifer.

In the first Semi-final, India beat Australia by four wickets in Dubai, where the former Indian captain Virat Kohli scored valuable 84 runs. New Zealand and South Africa met in the second Semi-final at Lahore, which was a high-scoring match, and the Blackcaps won by 50 runs, where Rachin Ravindra (108) and former skipper Kane Williamson (102) scored hundreds. 

It is the second time when India and New Zealand are facing each other in the ICC Champions Trophy Final. In the 2000 edition, while Nairobi hosted the Final, India scored 264/6 after the skipper Sourav Ganguly scored 117 runs. In reply, New Zealand were once struggling at 132/5, but Chris Cairns' fighting century (102 not out) helped New Zealand to lift their first ICC title. 

See Also: India vs New Zealand Final, ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Live Streaming & Where to Watch?

ICC Champions Trophy 2025 (Final): India vs New Zealand – Probable XIs

India Predicted XI: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Varun Chakravarthy, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav

New Zealand Predicted XI: Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman/Nathan Smith, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (Captain), Kyle Jamieson, Will O'Rourke

ICC Champions Trophy 2025 (Final): India vs New Zealand – Dream11 Top Captains and Vice-Captains

Top 3 Captain's choices: Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rachin Ravindra

Top 3 Vice-Captain's choices: Hardik Pandya, Kane Williamson, Shreyas Iyer

ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has entered the Final, where India and New Zealand will face each other on Sunday (March 9) at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Here, we are predicting the pitch report for the Final match.

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan pitches were much batting friendly 

Pakistan hosted all the non Indian matches of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore was one of the most talked-about pitches in the tournament as it was a batting paradise, where bowlers had the hard luck. That venue experienced three 350+ totals in the tournament. If India missed out on the Final of the tournament, the ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy Final would be played at Gaddafi Stadium.

While Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium managed to produce only one complete match out of three fixtures, the National Stadium in Karachi set up three good matches.

Meanwhile, India have played all their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 matches at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. As India won all their four matches of the tournament, they are clearly favourites for the Final. 

See Also: "Gautam Gambhir Faces Criticism Over 'Hollow Victory' Jibe from South African Media"

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Pitches at Dubai International Cricket Stadium

In the Group A matches, India beat Bangladesh and Pakistan by six wickets each. In their last group stage fixture against New Zealand, India successfully defended 249 runs and won by 44 runs. Against Australia in the first Semi-final, India successfully chased the challenging target of 265 runs. 

Unlike the Pakistan pitches, the Dubai pitch is much slower. Before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the pitches were used for other matches, so there is no fresh pitch available for the tournament. The Dubai pitches are more useful for the spinners, while the set batters play the key role for the batting side. The pitches aren't the best examples for the big hitters as it is difficult to smash the ball regularly, especially for the new batters. During the ongoing tournament, the dew hasn't affected at this venue, which makes the venue more difficult for chasing as the pitch nature becomes slower with time progress in the ODIs. 

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final is likely to be played on a fresher pitch, much like the India vs Australia Semi-final pitch. If it is true, we can expect some better batting performance. But if the Final pitch reacts slower, spinners will dominate the game. While India likes to chase along with their strong batting potential in the first batting, New Zealand may face more difficult task in chasing.  

During the India vs New Zealand Group A match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Indian spinners dominated to secure a 44-run win in Dubai to end the group stage on top of the Group A points table. During the second innings, there was a time when the former Indian captain Virat Kohli went to touch Axar Patel's feet. 

On Sunday (March 2), India beat New Zealand by 44 runs. After the Blackcaps captain Mitchell Santner chose to field first, India scored 249/9, while New Zealand were all out for 205 runs. During the first innings, after India went to 30/3 by losing the first three batters, Axar Patel helped Shreyas Iyer to set up the innings. They had a 98-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Patel scored 42 off 61 balls with three fours and one six before Rachin Ravindra dismissed him after Kane Williamson grabbed a good catch.

Indian spinners dominated during New Zealand's innings. Apart from the former captain Kane Williamson, there was no challenge from the Blackcaps batting unit. Williamson scored fighting 81 off 120 balls with seven fours but it wasn't enough for his team. 

See Also: Varun Chakravarthy's Five-Wicket Haul Powers India to Victory in Champions Trophy 2025

Axar Patel dismissed Kane Williamson on his last ball of the match

As usual, Axar Patel bowled really well but didn't pick a wicket before the last over. On his final ball of the match, Williamson went to hit him but completely missed and the wicketkeeper KL Rahul had no chance to make a mistake. It was Patel's only wicket of the match, which was big enough, and he finished with the incredible bowling figures of 10-0-31-1.

Laughing scene: Virat Kohli went to touch Axar Patel's feet

After Williamson's departure, while Patel finished his spell, former Indian captain Virat Kohli went to him and almost touched his feet while Patel quickly held his hand and both laughed at that. 

Kohli touching Axar Patel's feet after he got Williamson out 😭#Kohli #AxarPatel #INDvNZ #ChampionsTrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/mJmgQ95Y15

— voodoo mama juju (@ayotarun) March 2, 2025

India finish on top of the Group A points table in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after beating New Zealand in the last game of the group stage on Sunday (March 2) in Dubai. 

After New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner chose to bowl first, India scored 249/9 in 50 overs. In reply, New Zealand were all out for 205 runs, as the Men in Blue won by 44 runs. 

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Semi-final fixtures confirmed

With this result, India finished as the Group A champions with six points, and New Zealand finished in the second place with four points. In the first Semi-final of the tournament, India will face Group B runners-up Australia at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday (March 4). On the other hand, New Zealand will face Group B champions South Africa at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore in Pakistan on Wednesday (March 5). On next Sunday (March 9), the Final will be played either at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (Dubai) if India qualfiy or Gaddafi Stadium (Lahore) if India fail to qualify. The reserve days are available for both the Semi-finals and the Final. 

Also Watch: Virat Kohli does Cristiano Ronaldo celebration during CT 2025 group stage match against New Zealand

Indian middle-order batters played crucial roles

Coming back to the India vs New Zealand match, India lost their first three batters in seven overs as the Men in Blue were struggling at 30/3. Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel handled the early situation very well with a 98-run partnership for the fourth wicket. While Patel scored 42 runs, Iyer scored 79 runs. Also, KL Rahul added 23 runs, while Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja had a useful 41-run partnership for the seventh wicket. While Jadeja scored 16 runs, Pandya scored valuable run-a-ball 45 runs to guide the Indian total to a challenging place. 

Among the New Zealand bowlers, pacer Matt Henry claimed a fifer as he had the bowling figures of 8-0-42-5. 

Indian spinners dominated

In reply, New Zealand batters failed to provide solid answers against the Indian bowlers. Especially, the Indian spinners completely controlled the innings with their tight lines, mainly targeting the stumps. Player of the Match Varun Chakravarthy, who made ODI comeback by replacing Harshit Rana, claimed his maiden ODI fifer as he had the bowling figures of 10-0-42-5. Also, Kuldeep Yadav bagged two wickets (2/56), while Hardik Pandya (1/22), Axar Patel (1/32) and Ravindra Jadeja (1/36) had one wicket each.

Only the former skipper Kane Williamson managed to fight against the disciplined Indian bowlers as the right-handed batter recorded his 12th ODI 50+ score against India. He scored 81 off 120 balls but didn't get any strong support. Opener Will Young (22) and the skipper Mitchell Santner (28) were the only other New Zealand batters to reach the 20-run mark. 

Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson set a new ODI record for New Zealand against India after scoring a crucial half-century for his nation in the Group A fixture of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai on Sunday (March 2).

Although both teams have already qualified for the Semi-finals of the tournament, the India vs New Zealand fixture will bring the final story of the Group A points table and also finalise who will face which Group B teams in the Semi-finals. After New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner chose to field first, India scored the challenging total of 249/9 in 50 overs.

In reply, New Zealand openers failed to provide important solid starts. While every Blackcaps batter was struggling, former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson once again played a valuable role. Although he took many balls, the right-handed batter was the main reason for the Kiwis' scoreboard moving in the tricky chase against the Indian top-spinners.  

The latest Champions Trophy half-century was Williamson's 12th 50+ ODI score against India. By surpassing the former Blackcaps star Ross Taylor (11), Williamson now holds the record for most ODI 50+ scores for New Zealand against India. 

Also Watch: Anushka Sharma meets with Rohit-Ritika's newborn child

New Zealand batters with the most ODI 50+ scores against India

Williamson also now holds the record for most 50+ scores by a New Zealander against India in the ICC ODI tournaments, as it was his third 50+ score against India in the ICC tournaments in the ODI formats. 

New Zealanders with multiple 50+ scores against India in the ICC ODI tournaments

Williamson was stumped out in the 41st over as Axar Patel took his wicket after the right-handed batter scored 81 runs off 120 balls.