
Image credits: India team celebrate their third ICC Champions Trophy triumph, with captain Rohit Sharma and teammates ecstatic after a thrilling win over New Zealand in the 2025 final - Photo by ICC/Getty Images
The Stage was Set
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final between India and New Zealand was always going to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams looking to claim the coveted title. India, led by Rohit Sharma, were on a mission to win their third Champions Trophy, while New Zealand were determined to spoil the party.
A Game of Twists and Turns
The match got off to a rollicking start, with India's openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill putting on a 105-run stand. Rohit dominated the proceedings, scoring 69 off 63 balls and setting the tone for the chase. However, New Zealand's spinners, led by Mitchell Santner, pulled things back, and India lost two wickets in quick succession. The game was tilting back to parity, with India needing another partnership to take them home.
The Turning Point
Axar Patel and Shreyas Iyer mixed caution with aggression to push India forward, adding 62 crucial runs. Although Iyer was dismissed, KL Rahul came in and lofted Santner for a six, easing some nerves. The final was still firmly in balance, but Rahul and Hardik Pandya got boundaries at regular intervals to keep India within the asking rate. In the end, it was Rahul and Jadeja who saw India home, staving off a stiff fight from New Zealand.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final will be remembered for its thrilling finish, with India emerging victorious by four wickets. Rohit Sharma's masterclass and KL Rahul's finishing skills were the difference between the two teams. India's spinners, led by Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav, also played a crucial role in restricting New Zealand to 251. The win marked India's third ICC Champions Trophy title and their seventh ICC senior trophy overall.
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