India’s revamped approach to One Day Internationals received the perfect validation as Rohit Sharma’s squad secured their first major 50-over title in 12 years. The team triumphed over New Zealand by four wickets in the final of the 2025 Champions Trophy, clinching victory in Dubai on Sunday, March 9.

This historic win made India the only team to claim the Champions Trophy three times, surpassing Australia’s two-title record. Rohit Sharma also cemented his place among cricketing greats, becoming only the second Indian captain, after MS Dhoni, to win multiple ICC white-ball championships.

Rohit Sharma Leads by Example

With Rohit Sharma’s signature 76-run knock and a commanding performance by India’s formidable spin attack, the team overcame one of their most challenging ICC opponents. Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy each took two wickets, stifling New Zealand’s promising start and restricting them to 251 on a sluggish Dubai surface.

Rohit set the tone early with an aggressive yet measured approach, sending the ball soaring into the stands while maintaining composure. Despite his efforts, he couldn’t see the chase through to the end, stepping up after early dismissals of Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli but falling before the final moments of the game.

“We played some excellent cricket throughout the tournament, and it’s incredibly satisfying to see the results go our way. I’m very pleased with how we performed today,” Rohit said after receiving the Player of the Match award.

Shreyas Iyer’s crucial 48 provided stability before KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya guided India closer to the target. A late twist saw Hardik dismissed in the final overs, keeping the game tense. However, KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja kept their cool, securing the victory in the 49th over and etching India’s name in history.

New Zealand’s Early Surge and India’s Spin Mastery

New Zealand, after winning the toss under captain Mitchell Santner, opted to bat first on a dry Dubai pitch. Rachin Ravindra, fresh from a match-winning century in the semi-finals, came out swinging against India’s pace attack, taking on Mohammed Shami and Hardik Pandya with confidence.

India had a shaky start in the field, dropping Rachin twice during the powerplay—once by Mohammed Shami and then by Shreyas Iyer. However, Varun Chakravarthy provided the much-needed breakthrough, bowling Will Young and breaking a promising 58-run opening stand.

Rohit’s Tactical Brilliance

Rohit Sharma showcased his tactical acumen by persisting with Shami through the powerplay before deploying spin from both ends once fielding restrictions eased. Kuldeep Yadav, despite going wicketless in the semi-final, made an immediate impact by dismissing Rachin Ravindra with a deceptive wrong’un. He soon followed up with the crucial wicket of Kane Williamson, who misjudged the pace and was caught playing a leading edge.

New Zealand struggled against India’s spinners, losing three wickets for just 18 runs. Tom Latham and Daryl Mitchell attempted to steady the innings, but their 33-run partnership took 66 deliveries, highlighting the difficulty of scoring against India’s spin quartet. Jadeja added to New Zealand’s woes by trapping Latham LBW for 14, his slow strike rate reflecting the pressure imposed by India’s bowlers.

Glenn Phillips tried to counterattack, forming a 57-run stand with Mitchell. He showed intent, briefly breaking the shackles with a six off Kuldeep, but was soon undone by India’s relentless spin assault. Rohit’s clever rotations prevented New Zealand’s batters from settling, with Varun Chakravarthy maintaining pressure in the middle overs and Jadeja completing his full spell efficiently.

Phillips eventually fell for 34 to a well-disguised googly from Varun, further denting New Zealand’s chances. Michael Bracewell provided some late resistance, scoring a brisk 53 off 40 balls, but Mitchell’s laborious 63-run effort ended in the 46th over when Shami struck again.

India’s all-around performance, driven by their spin dominance and Rohit’s leadership, ensured a triumphant end to their Champions Trophy campaign, reaffirming their position as a powerhouse in world cricket.