Rohit Sharma-led India hammer New Zealand in thrilling final to lift Champions Trophy

Millions of Indians across the globe burst crackers and joined in celebrating the triumph when Ravindra Jadeja (9*) smashed a boundary in the last ball of the penultimate over to reach the winning target of 254 runs for the loss of six wickets.

The Kiwi team put up a strong show and tried to use their artillery of spinners to take advantage of the turning wicket in Dubai, but Indian batsmen held their nerves and ensured the winning run was scored at the end.

New Zealand scored a competitive 251 runs for the loss of seven wickets after winning the toss and opting to bat first. The Indian bowlers kept the opponents under check by picking up wickets at regular intervals.

The final was keenly watched by cricket lovers across the globe especially after New Zealand had defeated India on their home turf in a Test series late last year.  

India had also suffered a major blow in the Australian series where the hosts had demolished the visitors on their home turf.

Chasing 251 for victory, Indian captain Rohit Sharma provided his squad a strong start with his demolishing knock of 76 runs.

Sharma and Shubman Gill (31) added 105 runs in the opening wicket partnership to give a strong challenge to the fighting New Zealand squad.

Skipper Mitchell Santner provided New Zealand with the first breakthrough by picking up the wicket of Gill, who hit one mighty six in his knock.

India received another major blow when Virat Kohli (1) was dismissed by Michael Bracewell in quick succession to reduce the squad to 2-106.

Shreyas Iyer (48) came down in the park to join Sharma in the run chase.

New Zealand soon struck and sent back Sharma, who missed his century in the match that mattered.

The Indian skipper, who led his team to the T20 World Cup last year to end an 11-year trophy drought, hit three massive sixes and seven boundaries, which not only provided his side a major start but also disrupted New Zealand bowlers who were desperately wanting early wickets.

Iyer (48) and Axar Patel (29) moved the ship forward after initial jolts.

They added 61 runs in their partnership that cruised the squad out of the danger spot where New Zealand had pushed them by picking up three quick wickets.

Iyer sent two boundaries and two sixes in the dependable knock, where he remained watchful and played the spinners with proper judgement.

KL Rahul joined the party after Iyer went back to the pavilion.

Rahul continued his strong form in the tournament and contributed 34 unbeaten runs. He played one boundary and a six in his knock.

Just when the Kiwis were trying to take a control over the match, Hardik Pandya, whose desperate knock in the Champions Trophy final against Pakistan still remain alive in the memory of Indian fans, came out on the pitch and devastated the opponent bowlers with his 18-ball 18 runs innings.

With one boundary and six, Pandya cruised the Indian score towards victory.

After Pandya was dismissed to add a thrill to the match at the end, Jadeja came out to the park and hit the boundary to help India win the match.

In the 2019 World Cup semi-final, Jadeja had played a fighters' knock against the same opponent, but the match went in New Zealand's favour.

With this win, Jadeja rewrote cricket history books and emerged as the hero who scripted India's win in Dubai, the city that hosted all of India's matches in the tournament after Rohit Sharma and his team refused to travel to the host nation, Pakistan, to play their games amid strained bilateral ties.

History Was In New Zealand's Favour in 2000

This is the third time India won the Champions Trophy after winning it previously in 2002 and 2013.

India had last won the title in 2013 under MS Dhoni's leadership by beating England.

In 2000, a young Sourav Ganguly-led squad had moved closer to lift the title but could not cross the New Zealand hurdle.

The Kiwis had won the tournament in Nairobi.

Narendra Modi Greets

Indian PM Narendra Modi described the result of the game as 'exceptional'.

He wrote on X: "An exceptional game and an exceptional result! Proud of our cricket team for bringing home the ICC Champions Trophy. They’ve played wonderfully through the tournament. Congratulations to our team for the splendid all round display."

India Celebrating Victory

India rejoiced in the victory by bursting crackers and dancing and living the moment of happiness on a Sunday evening where the streets mostly remained empty as people in the cricket frenzy nations watched the game with anxiety and thrill.

Images courtesy: BCCI and Rupak De Chowdhuri/IBNS