THE DOMINATION FACTOR

India cap an unbeaten run with a four-wicket win over fighting NZ in the final in Dubai

- RASESH MANDANI

DUBAI: Who else but Rohit Sharma to lead the way with an authoritative innings in the final (76-83b) for India to be crowned Champions Trophy winners for the third time.

When Ravindra Jadeja flicked Will O'Rourke past fine leg in the last ball of the 49th over to get India past New Zealand's 251 runs, Rohit, watching from the balcony, was beaming with joy.

Virat Kohli exchanged hugs, Gautam Gambhir wore a smile of satisfaction in his first significant win as head coach. Youngsters Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh raced to the middle first, and along with Jadeja broke into Gangnam steps.

Soon Rohit and Kohli too would shake a leg with some dandiya moves. These are moments sportspersons live for. India will be delighted to have won two titles in a row after last year's T20 World Cup triumph.

One shot that has been Rohit Sharma's undoing during his recent dry run in red-ball cricket-the pull-worked for him in the second ball of India's run chase.

The transfer of weight, elevation, closing the face of the bat, dismissive in reaction as Kyle Jamieson's bouncer sailed into the deep mid-wicket stands. Over a long career, the pull shot has been Rohit's favourite been Rohit's favourite companion. It may have led to his downfall more frequently than he would like of late, but going aerial is something the blazing batter wasn't going to shy away from.