In an electrifying match in Dubai, India lived up to the pre-tournament buzz by clinching the Champions Trophy with a thrilling four-wicket win over New Zealand.
Chasing a target of 252, India got off to a fantastic start. Rohit Sharma, leading from the front, dazzled with a swift half-century off just 41 balls, propelling India to 100 without any loss within 17 overs.
Yet, the game took a dramatic turn when India lost three wickets for merely 17 runs post the drinks break. It was a tense finish, but thanks to Shreyas Iyer’s crucial 48 and KL Rahul’s steady 34 not out, India reached their target with an over to go.
### KL Rahul’s Nerve-Wracking Finish
Reflecting on the tense final moments, Rahul candidly admitted in a pitch-side chat, “I was pretty nervous at the end, not sure I should even say it on camera.” He continued, “We had a couple of batsmen left, so I felt confident we’d make it, but holding your nerve in such big games is never easy. Thrilled to get it done this time.”
Earlier, Sharma and Shubman Gill got things rolling with a solid partnership of 105. Gill departed for 31 when Glenn Phillips pulled off a spectacular catch off the bowling of New Zealand’s captain, Mitchell Santner. Soon after, Virat Kohli fell lbw to Michael Bracewell on his very first ball.
At 76 runs from 83 balls, Rohit Sharma met his end when Tom Latham stumped him following a risky swing at Rachin Ravindra, leaving India at 122 for three. However, Iyer and Axar Patel’s partnership of 61 for the fourth wicket steadied the innings.
### New Zealand’s First Innings Spark
Choosing to bat first, New Zealand reached 69 for one from their opening 10 overs, with openers Will Young and Ravindra putting together 57 for the first wicket. But India’s spin attack took charge, grabbing five wickets and restricting New Zealand to 251 for seven in 50 overs.
Kuldeep Yadav made an impact by bowling Ravindra for 37 with his first delivery and later taking an easy catch from Kane Williamson, leading to New Zealand’s 75 for three. Latham contributed 14 before being dismissed lbw by Ravindra Jadeja.
Phillips and Daryl Mitchell tried to stabilize the innings with a partnership of 57, but Phillips fell to Varun Chakravarthy’s bowling. Mitchell, top-scoring with 63 from 101 balls, was caught off a slower ball from Mohammed Shami. Bracewell made a fighting unbeaten 53 from 40 balls, helping New Zealand cross the 250 mark, still a challenging score in the absence of their key bowler, Matt Henry.
### Mitchell Santner Reflects
Captain Mitchell Santner reflected, “Overall, it’s been a good tournament for us. We played some quality cricket, but today we faced a top team that just outperformed us.”
When asked about the turning point in the middle overs, he acknowledged, “Their bowlers were really on point. They squeezed us well, and their spinners were world-class, leaving us a bit short of our target.”
Ultimately, India’s combination of talent and composure saw them through to victory, wrapping up an exhilarating finale in the Champions Trophy.
