India beat New Zealand to lift third Champions Trophy title

Chasing 252 to win, India got off toa fast start through their captain’s first half-century of the tournament before Rahul hit an unbeaten 34 to help seal victory with six balls to spare in the final

- Mohammad Abdullah

Rohit Sharma led the chase with a cracking fifty after the spin quartet bowled brilliantly as India defeated New Zealand in the final by four wickets to lift the third Champions Trophy title in Dubai on Sunday.

After restricting New Zealand to a par total of 251/7, India chased down the target with six balls to spare.

With the victory, India settled a 25-year-old score with New Zealand. A low-profile New Zealand, who had just two senior players Chris Cairns and Stephen Fleming in their ranks, had defeated a star-studded India 25 years ago in the final to win the ICC Knockout, which later was rebranded as Champions Trophy before being removed from the cricket itinerary for eight long years in 2017, making a return in Dubai in 2025.

Fast forward to 2025, Rohit gave India a blistering start as he added 105 runs for the first wicket with Shubman Gill. Rohit was at his brutal best and got off with six.

He set the tone for a successful chase with a blitzkrieg knock of 83-ball 76 and made it easy for the other batsmen. Mitchell Santner broke the partnership to bring New Zealand back into the match by dismissing Gill.

After the departure of Gill, charged-up New Zealand bowlers started attacking. India lost three wickets within 17 runs to be reduced to 122/3 from 105/0. Bracewell trapped Kohli, and Rohit was caught by Latham off Rachin Ravindra.