India claimed their third ICC Champions Trophy thanks to Captain Rohit Sharma’s blistering knock of 76 off 83, which helped India over the line against New Zealand by four wickets.The Men In Blue and the Kiwis had arguably been the best two sides of the tournament, so it was fitting that they met in the Final.
Mitchell Santner won the toss for New Zealand and elected to bat first.
Rachin Ravindra began his innings in a confident mood.
Embed from Getty ImagesMohammed Shami put down a sharp chance off him on 28.
Embed from Getty ImagesShreyes Iyer also put down another chance off him on 29.
But just as the openers brought up their 50 partnership in the seventh over, Varun Chakravarthy gave India the breakthrough at 57-1.
Embed from Getty ImagesWill Young was the batsman who departed for 15 off 23.
Kuldeep Yadav got the big wicket of Kane Williamson at 75-3.
Embed from Getty ImagesDaryll Mitchell began to take on the Indian spinners.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut Ravindra Jadeja used his accuracy to dismiss Tom Latham for 14, at 108-4.
Embed from Getty ImagesIndia was on top, as New Zealand needed a partnership to rebuild their innings.
Glenn Phillips began to counterattack by taking on India’s spinners.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Indian Captain gave Mitchell a life by dropping him on 38.
Embed from Getty ImagesShubman Gill also put Phillips down on 27.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut Chakravarthy soon sent him back to the pavilion for 34 at 165-5.
Embed from Getty ImagesMitchell reached 50 in 91 balls.
Embed from Getty ImagesHe then amped up the pressure on India’s bowlers.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut just as he looked like doing some damage at the back end of the innings, he hit Shami straight into the hands of the Indian Captain at cover. New Zealand was teetering at 211-6.
Embed from Getty ImagesMichael Bracewell tried to give New Zealand some impetus at the back end of their innings.
Embed from Getty ImagesSanter was run out for eight at 239-7.
Embed from Getty ImagesBracewell raced to 30 in 39 balls.
Embed from Getty ImagesNew Zealand finished their innings on 251-7, which was a par score at best. They would need to take early wickets to put India under pressure.
The Indian Captain came out all guns blazing in the first powerplay.
Embed from Getty ImagesIndia raced to 51 in 7.5 Overs.
Embed from Getty ImagesSharma brought up 50 in 41 balls.
Embed from Getty ImagesGill also chipped in with a couple of boundaries.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe opening pair took India to 100 in 17 Overs. We are still searching for a way to get that first wicket in New Zealand.
Embed from Getty ImagesAnd a stunning catch from Philips off the bowling of Santner got them that first wicket of Gill at 105-1.
Embed from Getty ImagesVirat Kohli came and went at 106-2.
Embed from Getty ImagesRavindra gave New Zealand hope with the big wicket of Sharma at 122-3.
Embed from Getty ImagesShreyas Iyer got a few boundaries away.
muKUVmiFHr7RCSI=’,w:’594px’,h:’396px’,items:’2203604214′,caption: true ,tld:’com’,is360: false })});Axar Patel also got amongst the runs.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut just as they were about to take the game away from New Zealand, Santner gave the Kiwis a breakthrough with the wicket of Iyer for 48, at 183-4. Was the match about to turn in their favor?
Embed from Getty ImagesPatel continued to take on the bowling.
Embed from Getty ImagesKL Rahul joined the party.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut just as they looked like taking India across the finish line, Bracewell got the wicket of Patel at 203-5.
Embed from Getty ImagesRahul continued his pursuit of taking India home.
Embed from Getty ImagesHardik Pandya was looking to finish the game as soon as possible.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut Kyle Jamieson’s bouncer was too good for him, as he chipped it straight back to the tall right-arm speedster at 241-6.
Embed from Getty ImagesJadeja took India to victory with a pull for four past fine leg.
Embed from Getty ImagesIt was a well-planned run chase by the Indians, who never looked out of control throughout their innings.
You just felt that the Kiwis were at least 20-30 runs short, as 250 would never be enough on that pitch.
Reaction
The India Captain praised his team’s all-round performances in the presentation ceremony in this tournament.
I appreciate everyone who came to support us. The crowd has been amazing. Not our home ground but they made it our home ground. Very satisfying win. Right from the beginning our spinners… there is too much expectation but they never disappointed. It helped them and we used that to our advantage. We were very consistent with our bowling. [KL] A very solid mind, never gets overawed with the pressure around him. He finished off the game for us. He picks the right shot to play in the pressure situation which allows the rest of the batters to play freely. For eg, Hardik. The overall batsmanship shown by all the batters was special.
Sharma: ESPN: Cricinfo
A dejected Santner gave heaps of praise to his team for a wonderful tournament despite losing the final.
It’s been a good tournament. We have been challenged along the way and the way we have grown as a group. We lost to a better side today. Everyone contributed to the tournament and put their hands up at different rimes. It was good bowling. We lost a couple of wickets after the powerplay and they really got the squeeze on. Credit to how their spinners how they bowled. They are world-class bowlers. We were 20 or 25 under to what we were looking for. [Phillips catch] That man he keeps doing it.
The way Rohit and Gill went about it was great. Rohit going at almost run a ball on that wicket was outstanding. We knew the game could change quickly and that happened. [On Ravindra] We have seen how he steps up in these tournaments. With the ball as well he stepped up. He understands the game at such a young age. He’s got a massive future. Even today, he went over a run a ball. [First ICC tournament as captain] It has been very enjoyable. Made easy by the group. Different guys stepping up at different times makes it easy. We have had a few challenges but we have adapted. It has been a great tournament.
Santner: ESPN Cricinfo
While the Indian captain was also the Man Of the Match.
It is very nice. We played some good cricket though the tournament. To have the result our way is a great feeling. [Aggressive style] Not natural to me, but something I really wanted to do. When you are doing something different, you have to have the backing of the team and management. I spoke to Rahul bhai earlier and now Gauti bhai as well. It is something I really wanted to do.
I have played all these years in a different style, and now we are getting the results with this. We have to understand the nature of the surfaces and I was very clear about how I wanted to execute the first five-six overs. I have gotten out as well earlier, but the execution matters. The depth gives me the freedom and it helps. With Jadeja coming at 8, it gives you the confidence to go hard up front. As long as I am clear in my mind, it is great.
Sharma
While Ravindra was the Man Of the Tournament, for his 263 runs and five catches in four matches.
Certainly is bitter-sweet. Was a glorious final. The individual accolades are great and playing for a team is great. [What makes you such a great ICC player?] Maybe we get to play on a good wicket. I like playing tournament cricket because you are playing for a goal. Very proud of my past. Have so many people to thank.
It would have been nice to have the icing on the cake with the trophy but cricket is a cruel game. All members of the squad have a part to play. There isn’t an established player or a newbie. We go about our business and play like a team.
RavindraThis is India’s second piece of silverware under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, after the T20 World Cup.
They are such a formidable white-ball side, becuase of the strength in depth of players.
Given that there is a T20 World Cup in February 2026 in their own country, you wouldn’t put it past them to win it.
As for New Zealand, it is yet another tournament where they have fallen at the last hurdle.
They really need to do something to help the get over the line in finals.
Whether that is to go harder in the powerplay, or add more variety to their bowling. Surely something needs to change?
For more information on India, New Zealand, and the Champions Trophy, visit World In Sport.