India Clinches Third Champions Trophy Title with Thrilling Win Over New Zealand in 2025 Final
 India Clinches Third Champions Trophy Title with Thrilling Win Over New Zealand in 2025 Final |
New Zealand's Steady Start
Winning the toss, New Zealand opted to bat, aiming to set a formidable target. Openers Rachin Ravindra and Tom Latham began cautiously, navigating India's pace attack with precision. Their partnership laid a solid foundation, but the introduction of India's spinners shifted the momentum. Kuldeep Yadav, with his deceptive variations, struck gold by dismissing Ravindra for 37, breaking the 69-run opening stand.
The dismissal brought Kane Williamson to the crease, but his stay was short-lived. Kuldeep, showcasing his mastery, bowled a delivery that turned sharply, rattling Williamson's stumps and sending him back to the pavilion. At 69/2, New Zealand found themselves in a precarious position.
Mitchell and Bracewell's Resilience
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| Daryl Mitchell showcased resilience, anchoring the innings with a composed 63 |
Amidst the turmoil, Daryl Mitchell showcased resilience, anchoring the innings with a composed 63 runs. His partnership with Michael Bracewell, who contributed an unbeaten 53, was pivotal in steering New Zealand to a respectable total. Their combined efforts ensured the team posted 251/7 in their allotted 50 overs.
India's Chase: A Roller-Coaster Ride
Chasing 252 in a high-stakes final is never straightforward, but India's openers, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, exuded confidence. Sharma, in particular, was in sublime form, dispatching the ball to all corners of the ground. His authoritative knock of 76 off 83 balls set the tone for the chase.
However, cricket's unpredictability soon came to the fore. Gill's dismissal triggered a mini-collapse, with Virat Kohli departing shortly after. The once steady ship seemed to waver, but Shreyas Iyer stepped up, adding a crucial 48 runs to stabilize the innings.
The Final Push
As the overs dwindled, the pressure mounted. Enter KL Rahul, whose calm demeanor was the need of the hour. His unbeaten 34 ensured that India remained on course. With each run, the target inched closer, and with one over to spare, India clinched victory, finishing at 254/6.
A Historic Triumph
This victory marked India's third Champions Trophy title, reinforcing their dominance in the ODI format. The team's journey throughout the tournament showcased a blend of experience and youthful exuberance, a combination that proved to be a winning formula.
Key Takeaways
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Spin Magic: Kuldeep Yadav's spell was instrumental, not just for the wickets but for applying the brakes on New Zealand's scoring.
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Captain's Knock: Rohit Sharma's inning was a masterclass in pacing a chase, balancing aggression with caution.
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Middle-Order Stability: Shreyas Iyer's and KL Rahul's contributions highlighted the depth of India's batting lineup.
Rohit Sharma had played the Captain's Knock in the Champions Trophy 2025 Final
The Champions Trophy 2025 Final will be remembered as a testament to India's cricketing prowess and ability to shine on the grandest stages. As fans celebrated across the globe, this victory added another glorious chapter to India's rich cricketing history.
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