Rohit Sharma led from the front as India won a captivating ICC Men’s Champions Trophy final by four wickets against New Zealand.
In a game dominated by spin, Ravindra Jadeja hit the winning runs after captain Rohit had earlier made 76 at the top of the order as India chased down their target of 252 with an over to spare.
The victory sees India become the first side to win the competition three times after their successes in 2002 and 2013, while they also finished the tournament unbeaten.
Having won the toss and opted to bat first, New Zealand made a bright start to their innings as openers Will Young and Rachin Ravindra put on 57 for the first wicket.
Rohit’s decision to introduce spin into the attack in the sixth over, however, allowed the Indian bowlers to put a squeeze on the Kiwis’ progress.
Varun Chakravarthy trapped Young in front for 15 before Kuldeep Yadav bowled semi-final centurion Ravindra (37) with a googly just 14 balls later.
Kane Williamson, so often the glue for New Zealand, was unable to repeat his heroic efforts against South Africa as he chipped one back to Yadav in the 13th over to leave his side 75 for three.
Jadeja trapped Tom Latham in front for 14 and it was left to Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips to compile a half-century stand for the fifth wicket as the pair looked to wrestle back control of the game.
Phillips’ maximum down the ground off Yadav at the end of the 27th over was New Zealand’s first boundary in 81 balls but Chakravarthy returned to the attack in the 38th over and removed Phillips for 34 with another googly.
Mitchell, having reached his fifty from 91 balls, was eventually out for 63 when he picked out Rohit at cover off Mohammed Shami.
Michael Bracewell did his best to counter-attack and reached a 39-ball fifty as he propelled New Zealand to 251 for seven after captain Mitchell Santner was run out for eight with an over to go.
The Indian captain got his side’s reply off to an explosive start as he pulled Kyle Jamieson behind square for six off the opening bowler’s second ball.
Rohit smashed 21 of the 22 runs Nathan Smith conceded from his opening two overs and the 37-year-old reached his half-century in the 11th over.
Shubman Gill, given a life by Mitchell when on six, provided excellent support to his skipper and showed his intent when required, smashing Ravindra for six over long-on at the end of the 14th over.
The pair put on the first 100-run opening stand during an ICC Men’s Champions Trophy final but the partnership was finally broken by a moment of fielding brilliance as Phillips took a one-handed stunner to remove Gill for 31 and hand Santner his first wicket.
Just three balls later, Virat Kohli missed a straight one from Bracewell and was given out lbw for one to leave the two-time champions 108 for two after 20 overs.
Rohit, having reached 76, tried to relieve the pressure that had been steadily built by the New Zealand spinners but failed to make contact with Ravindra and was duly stumped by Latham.
Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel maintained India’s pursuit of New Zealand’s total and put together a steady half-century partnership, with the former bringing up the milestone courtesy of a huge six off Phillips.
The very next ball saw Shreyas dropped by Jamieson, running in from long-on boundary, but Santner had him caught by Ravindra for 48 in the next over.
Axar’s dismissal, caught by Will O’Rourke for 29 after a mistimed stroke off Bracewell, left India 203 for five, still 49 runs short of their target with eight overs remaining.
Pandya’s maximum down the ground off Ravindra at the start of the 46th over swung the balance of the game back in the India’s favour and, though Jamieson removed Pandya for 18 with 11 runs still required, KL Rahul (34 not out) and Jadeja (nine not out) saw India over the line to claim a hard-fought victory with six deliveries to spare.
Winning a tournament undefeated is a massive achievement: Rohit
Commenting on going undefeated in the tournament, Rohit said: “We went undefeated despite losing all five tosses. Yet, we still won the trophy. Across the five matches we played, we didn’t lose a single one. Winning a tournament without a single defeat is a massive achievement in itself, and it gives me immense satisfaction.
“To be honest, until we won the trophy, no one really thought about it. But after the victory, it hit us — we had gone through the entire tournament undefeated. That realization made it even more special.
“It’s difficult to put into words how that feels right now. We have an incredibly solid team, and it’s a joy to play alongside such committed individuals. Everyone knows their role and responsibilities — what needs to be done and what must be avoided. Of course, emotions run high on the field. Sometimes, I get a bit carried away, but it’s all in the spirit of the game.
“The words exchanged on the ground aren’t meant to hurt anyone or show off — they are just an expression of our passion. We have played together for so long that we understand each other well. At the end of the day, our main goal is to win, and we are ready to do whatever it takes to achieve that. The boys have shown that throughout the tournament — they were prepared to give everything for the team.”
Team effort has carried India to title – Kohli
Virat Kohli is no stranger to winning major ICC tournaments and has put India’s latest success in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy down to crucial contributions throughout the team during the tournament.
In a repeat of the 2000 final, India chased down their target of 252 with one over to spare after New Zealand posted 251 for seven from their 50 overs.
For Kohli, an ICC Men’s Champion Trophy winner in 2013, people performing in high-pressure situations is the main reason India won.
“These are the things, after playing for so long, you look forward to,” he said. “Being in situations where you are put under pressure, and you walk in, and you put your hand up.
“I think to win titles, which has been missing in the past, the whole team must step up in different games. And if you look at this tournament, over the course of five matches, everyone has put their hand up somewhere or another.”
Notable Indian performances during the tournament include Kohli’s very own unbeaten hundred against Pakistan and his 84 in the semi-final against Australia.
Other valuable contributions include Varun Chakravarthy’s five for 42 against New Zealand in the group stage, Shubman Gill’s unbeaten 101 against Bangladesh and Mohammed Shami’s bowling efforts throughout the entire tournament to finish as the joint-second highest wicket taker with nine scalps.
With 48 on the day to boost the Indian chase, Shreyas Iyer was another to underline his value with consistent impact.
Those efforts from his teammates are what pleased Kohli the most. He added: “That is why we ended up winning this tournament. People have made such impactful knocks and produced such impactful spells, and it is only a collective effort that can win you a title.
“I am just so happy we were able to play as a unit and really enjoy ourselves. We have had such an amazing time as a team. It has been an amazing tournament for us.”
ICC Men’s Champions Trophy final, New Zealand v India, Dubai
India 254/6, 49 overs (Rohit Sharma 76, Shreyas Iyer 48; Michael Bracewell two for 28) def.
New Zealand 251/7, 50 overs (Daryl Mitchell 63, Michael Bracewell 53*; Kuldeep Yadav two for 40)
Result: India won by four wickets.
