Champions Trophy: Spinners, Rohit, and Rahul Propel Unbeaten India to Third Title Win
Agartala, Mar 09, 2025, By Our Correspondent44
In a thrilling encounter at the Dubai International Stadium, India clinched their third ICC Champions Trophy title by defeating New Zealand by four wickets. A stellar performance from the Indian spinners and crucial contributions from captain Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul paved the way for this historic victory. This triumph also marks India’s first title in an ICC ODI event in 12 years and their second ICC trophy in 12 months, following the T20 World Cup win in June last year.
Background: India's Pursuit of ICC Glory
India's journey to the Champions Trophy title was fueled by a mix of experience and a hunger to end their ICC ODI trophy drought, which had stretched since their 2013 Champions Trophy win. The team, led by Rohit Sharma, displayed dominance throughout the tournament, remaining unbeaten. The victory also served as a redemption arc after India's heartbreaking miss at the 2023 ODI World Cup on home soil. The Men in Blue, backed by a stadium filled predominantly with Indian supporters, showcased a well-rounded performance to outclass the Kiwis.
New Zealand’s Innings: A Mixed Bag of Grit and Missed Chances
Opting to bat first, New Zealand posted a competitive 251/7 in their 50 overs, thanks to contrasting half-centuries from Daryl Mitchell (63 off 101 balls) and Michael Bracewell (53 not out off 40 balls). The Kiwis' innings was a tale of resilience mixed with missed opportunities and sluggish run-scoring in the middle overs.
India's spin quartet, led by Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy, strangled New Zealand's progress on a pitch offering minimal turn. Kuldeep's crafty variations earned him figures of 2/40, while Chakaravarthy's deceptive spin fetched 2/45. Ravindra Jadeja chipped in with a crucial wicket, applying pressure during the middle overs.
New Zealand’s start was promising, with openers Rachin Ravindra and Will Young adding 50 runs in just seven overs. However, India's spinners brought the momentum back with timely breakthroughs. Ravindra’s 37-run knock ended with a sharp googly from Kuldeep, while Chakaravarthy's dismissal of Young triggered a middle-order collapse.
A Defiant Lower-Order Stand
Amidst the flurry of wickets, Daryl Mitchell anchored the innings with a patient 63, his slowest fifty in the competition. Michael Bracewell, on the other hand, counter-attacked brilliantly, smashing a 39-ball fifty that included hefty blows against both pace and spin. Their efforts guided New Zealand past the 250-run mark, providing the bowlers a fighting chance.
India’s Chase: Rohit’s Brilliance and a Few Hiccups
Chasing 252, India started aggressively with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill putting up a solid 105-run opening stand. Rohit was at his fluent best, scoring 76 off 83 balls, laced with seven fours and three sixes. His strokeplay, a mix of pull shots and lofted drives, kept the required run rate under control. Gill’s departure for 31, courtesy of a stunning one-handed catch by Glenn Phillips, opened a window for New Zealand.
Michael Bracewell's immediate impact saw Virat Kohli dismissed for just one, trapped leg-before by a ball that spun sharply. The dismissal of Rohit, who was stumped while attempting an aggressive shot off Rachin Ravindra, further increased the pressure on India.
Calm Amidst Chaos: KL Rahul’s Steady Hand
As wickets tumbled, KL Rahul’s calm demeanor proved vital. Coming in at a crucial juncture, Rahul scored an unbeaten 34 off 33 balls, rotating strike efficiently and picking boundaries when needed. His partnerships, first with Shreyas Iyer (48 off 62 balls) and later with the lower order, ensured India did not lose control. Iyer’s 48 included a massive 109-m six off Phillips, which eased the pressure temporarily.
With 40 needed off 36 balls, Rahul showcased his class by lofting and driving fluently, reducing the equation steadily. Even as Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel perished attempting big shots, Rahul's assured presence at the crease prevented panic.
The Winning Touch: Jadeja’s Cool Finish
Ravindra Jadeja, known for his finishing prowess, sealed the deal with a pulled boundary off Kyle Jamieson. His celebration, arms aloft amidst the roaring crowd, was a fitting conclusion to India’s clinical chase, completed with an over to spare. This victory also maintained India’s unblemished record in ODIs at Dubai.
Turning Point: Indian Spinners’ Chokehold
The defining factor of the match was India’s spinners conceding no boundaries between the 14th and 35th overs. The relentless accuracy of Kuldeep, Chakaravarthy, and Jadeja forced New Zealand to consume valuable deliveries without adding to the scoreboard. This spin strangle not only restricted New Zealand to a modest total but also boosted India’s confidence going into the chase.
Stats and Records
- Rohit Sharma: Top-scored with 76 off 83 balls, leading from the front.
- KL Rahul: Anchored the innings with an unbeaten 34, ensuring a safe finish.
- Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy: Key with the ball, sharing four wickets.
- Michael Bracewell: Best New Zealand bowler with 2/28 and a fighting fifty.
Brief Scores
- New Zealand: 251/7 in 50 overs (Daryl Mitchell 63, Michael Bracewell 53*; Kuldeep Yadav 2-40, Varun Chakaravarthy 2-45).
- India: 254/6 in 49 overs (Rohit Sharma 76, Shreyas Iyer 48, KL Rahul 34*; Michael Bracewell 2-28, Mitchell Santner 2-46).
- Result: India won by four wickets.
India’s triumph not only made them the most successful team in Champions Trophy history but also reinforced their dominance in ICC events. As the Men in Blue lifted the trophy amidst thunderous applause, the victory symbolized a blend of experienced leadership, strategic spin bowling, and a deep batting lineup capable of handling pressure.