India stave off New Zealand fightback to win ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai
Updated 09/03/2025 at 19:30 GMT
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India survived a scare to beat New Zealand by four wickets and claim the ICC Champions Trophy title in Dubai. The Black Caps set a target of 252 after 50 overs and threatened an inspired comeback, but India hung on to get over the line with an over to spare. The win completed an unbeaten tournament for India, who are also the reigning T20 World Cup champions.
Watch: India beat New Zealand in thrilling contest to win ICC Champions Trophy
Video credit: TNT Sports
India underlined their status as the best white-ball side in the world with a tense victory over New Zealand in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy.
It was a win that appeared set to be fairly routine after India made a rampant start in pursuit of their 252-run target, but it got nervy after the Black Caps found form with the ball late in the day in Dubai.
But they were not to be denied, Ravindra Jadeja scoring the winning runs with an over to spare.
It is a third Champions Trophy triumph for India – their first since 2013 – and they are also the reigning T20 World Cup holders.
Rachin Ravindra and Will Young got New Zealand off to a flying start, racing to 57-0 in the eighth over before their momentum was brought to an abrupt halt.
Varun Chakravarthy claimed the wicket of Young for 15 before Ravindra (37), Kane Williamson (11) and Tom Latham (14) all fell as New Zealand slumped to 108-4.
Daryl Mitchell top-scored with 63 from 101 balls, while Michael Bracewell finished 53 not out from 40 balls to give New Zealand a glimmer of hope.
When Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill combined for a 105-run opening stand, India looked set to wrap the win up comfortably, but three wickets for the loss of 17 runs renewed New Zealand’s belief.
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Sharma got to 76 before being removed, but Gill fell for 31, while Virat Kohli managed just one run as New Zealand's spinners put the brakes on the chase.
Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel put on 61 runs to steady the ship before the pair were removed by Mitchell Santner and Bracewell, respectively.
When Hardik Pandya was removed in the 48th over, India needed 11 runs from 15 balls, and they kept their composure to get over the line and cap off a dominant and unbeaten tournament.
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