new zealand vs india Final Exciting Match

In a thrilling finale on March 9, 2025, India clinched the ICC Champions Trophy by defeating New Zealand by four wickets in Dubai. This victory not only underscored India’s dominance in white-ball cricket but also highlighted the intense competition between these two cricketing nations.

Match Overview

New Zealand, opting to bat first, posted a total of 251 runs for the loss of seven wickets. Daryl Mitchell’s composed 63 and Michael Bracewell’s unbeaten 53 were instrumental in stabilizing their innings. India’s spin attack, led by Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy, effectively curbed New Zealand’s momentum, making run-scoring challenging.

In response, India began assertively, with captain Rohit Sharma delivering a stellar 76-run performance. Despite a mid-innings wobble, contributions from Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, and a steady 34 not out from KL Rahul ensured India reached the target with nine balls to spare, securing their unbeaten run in the tournament.

Key Performances

Rohit Sharma: His leadership and batting prowess were pivotal. His 76 runs set the foundation for India’s chase, earning him the Player of the Match accolade.
Rachin Ravindra: Despite New Zealand’s loss, Ravindra’s consistent performances throughout the tournament earned him the Player of the Tournament award.

Strategic Insights

India’s strategy revolved around exploiting spin-friendly conditions. The quartet of Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja consistently troubled batsmen, a tactic that paid dividends throughout the tournament. Rohit Sharma acknowledged their impact, stating, “The spinners have been outstanding, not just today but throughout the tournament.”

Conversely, New Zealand felt they were 20 runs short of a competitive total. Captain Mitchell Santner reflected on the match, noting the challenges posed by India’s spinners and the absence of key pacer Matt Henry due to injury.