What a match at the ICC Champions Trophy final in Dubai on March 9, 2025! India won against New Zealand and chased down 252 to win their 3rd trophy in this tournament. The match ended with a 4 wicket win for India and a big sigh of relief for the team and its fans.

The Indian innings started with a solid base laid by Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. The duo added 105 in 18.4 overs and set the chase. Rohit Sharma led from the front and played a crucial innings scoring 76 of 92 balls. Shubman Gill scored 31 before getting out which halted the flow of runs for a bit.

But the Indian fans had a few heart in mouth moments as the team lost 2 quick wickets. Virat Kohli, the rock of the Indian batting, got out soon after Gill. The team was struggling at 122 runs. Then Rohit Sharma got out which added to the pressure and India was in a difficult situation.

In the chaos, Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel batted sensibly to steady the innings. The two added 61 runs for the fourth wicket and kept India’s hopes alive. Shreyas Iyer batted well for 48 and Axar Patel scored 29 before both were out in successive overs and India were 183.

With the pressure mounting, K.L. Rahul (34) and Hardik Pandya (18) came together to take India closer to the target. But Hardik Pandya’s dismissal brought Ravindra Jadeja into the picture. Jadeja, an all-rounder, joined forces with Rahul to take the team home. Their partnership was crucial as they negotiated the last few overs with ease.

As the match reached its climax, Rahul and Jadeja made sure India got over the line, with Rahul unbeaten. It was India’s third Champions Trophy and 12 years since their last one under MS Dhoni in 2013. The win was sweet for the team as they had lost to Pakistan in the 2017 Champions Trophy final.

This win also showed India’s character as it was the second time they had beaten New Zealand in ICC knockout matches and cemented their reputation as a force to be reckoned with in international cricket. The players hugged each other on the field and the fans in the stands were in jubilation as the Indian team celebrated a historic moment in Indian cricket history.