On a sluggish pitch, India’s spinners called the shots to pick five wickets collectively, while captain Rohit Sharma top-scored with 76 and KL Rahul remained calm to hit an unbeaten 34, giving the Men in Blue their third Champions Trophy triumph with a four-wicket victory over New Zealand here on Sunday.
In the final, played on a beautiful afternoon at the Dubai International Stadium, all-rounders Daryl Mitchell (63 off 101 balls) and Michael Bracewell (53 not out off 40 balls) led New Zealand to 251/7 in 50 overs. Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy took two wickets each, while Ravindra Jadeja claimed one.
A chase of 252 appeared to be an easy chore for India on a surface with little turn, as Rohit, who smashed seven fours and three sixes in his 83-ball 76, and Shubman Gill put on a 105-run opening stand. However, a spirited New Zealand landing consistent blows created a tense energy in India’s chase.
Despite New Zealand’s spinners’ valiant efforts, India crossed the line with an over to spare thanks to its impressive batting depth. While Iyer scored 48 off 62 balls, Rahul remained calm until the end, scoring 34 not out off 33 balls to help India win their third Champions Trophy trophy following 2002 and 2013. It is also India’s second ICC trophy win in a year, following its T20 World Cup victory in June of last year.
The Dubai victory puts India the most successful team in Champions Trophy history, and they did so in front of a stadium packed with Indian supporters. This is India’s first title in an ICC ODI tournament in 12 years. The championship would also be a welcome relief for the Indian squad and its enthusiastic fans after missing out on the 2023 ODI World Cup victory on home turf.
Rohit began the chase in typical manner, drawing Kyle Jamieson for six before hitting William O’Rourke for fours. He met Nathan Smith with a premeditated swing for six before dragging Jamieson off the back foot for another boundary, despite Shubman Gill being dropped on six by Daryl Mitchell at mid-wicket.
Rohit was unstoppable, hitting a massive six down the ground from Smith before lap-sweeping and cutting him for two boundaries to push India’s total to fifty in just 41 balls. Though Santner and Rachin Ravindra kept the openers quiet, they were not as skilled at maintaining tight line and length as the Indian spin bowling four, hence they were unable to prevent the Indian openers from scoring runs.
Gill broke the shackles by gliding down the pitch to smash Ravindra over long-on for six, and Rohit pulled Santner for another boundary as India reached a century in just 17 overs. However, following the drinks break, Glenn Phillips leaped to take a sensational one-handed catch at extra cover and dismissed Gill for 31 off Santner’s bowling.
Michael Bracewell struck on his first ball, getting one to turn in from outside the off-stump and go past Virat Kohli’s flick to trap him lbw for one, as India wasted a review. With the spinners bowling nicely, Rohit and Shreyas Iyer had to take less risks against them.
Rohit attempted to break the dot ball strain by dancing down the pitch for a slog against Ravindra, but he was caught on the turn and stumped by Tom Latham for 76. Iyer and Axar Patel rotated the strike and remained patient for India, with the former scoring fours and sixes in between.
Iyer brought up his partnership’s fifty by slog-sweeping Phillips for a 109-metre six, but was dropped on 44 by Jamieson at long-on the very next ball. But, immediately after the second drink break, Iyer attempted a pre-meditated pull but was stopped by a short fine leg racing to his left off Santner for 48.
With 69 runs needed from 68 balls, Axar hit a slog-sweep off Santner for six, and Rahul made room to loft the left-arm spinner for a maximum. However, New Zealand kept chipping away, with Axar holed out to long-off for 29 in Bracewell’s last over.
With 40 runs needed from 36 balls, Rahul relieved the pressure by driving O’Rourke for four, while Hardik Pandya smashed Ravindra for six. Though Pandya was bowled for 11 by Jamieson, Jadeja concluded the chase with a pulled boundary and lifted his hands aloft in delight, ensuring India’s Champions Trophy victory and maintaining their flawless record of winning ODIs in Dubai.
Previously, Ravindra began by pulling twice and square-driving Shami once, scoring two fours and a six in a 16-run fourth over. He then blasted Shami for four before gaining an outside edge, sprinting through the third man, and hitting another boundary in quick succession.
Ravindra was given a respite when Shami caught and bowled on 28. To rub salt in their wounds, Young smashed a pull to the right of mid-on, bringing New Zealand’s opening stand to 50 in seven overs.
After Chakaravarthy’s caught-behind judgement was overturned, Ravindra was handed another chance on 29 when Iyer dropped his catch at deep square leg. India made a breakthrough when Chakaravarthy caught Young plumb lbw for 15, and Kuldeep hit with a googly for 37.
Kuldeep returned in his next over to deal New Zealand a crushing blow by dismissing Williamson, who was caught and bowled for 11. From there, India applied a hard choke with their spin quartet, conceding no boundaries after the 14th over. To break loose, Tom Latham attempted a sweep but was caught lbw by Jadeja for 14.
Phillips ended New Zealand’s 81-ball boundary drought by smashing Kuldeep for six. Though India kept things tight, Phillips was able to get two boundaries in between. New Zealand were also fortunate to receive several reprieves from Indian fielders; Mitchell survived on 38 when Rohit turned down a difficult chance at midwicket from Axar’s bowling, and Shubman Gill dropped Phillips’ catch when the batsman was on 27.
Chakaravarthy broke the 57-run stand with a googly that hit Phillips for 34. Daryl Mitchell marched forward to achieve 50 off 91 balls, the slowest half-century in his career and in this competition. Bracewell scored a boundary for New Zealand after 65 balls, swiping Kuldeep for four and heaving Shami for six.
Mitchell struck Shami for two boundaries before lofting to extra cover and scoring 63. Bracewell dismissed Pandya for six, but Santner was run out for eight while attempting to take a second run. Bracewell hit his fifty in 39 balls as New Zealand crossed the 250-mark, but it was insufficient to stop the Indian onslaught.
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