India secured their third ICC Champions Trophy title with a thrilling four-wicket win over New Zealand in the 2025 final at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Following the tense victory, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli broke into an energetic Dandiya celebration, a moment that quickly went viral, symbolizing the camaraderie and spirit within the team.
This victory marks India’s second ICC title in two years, following their 2024 T20 World Cup triumph. Rohit Sharma, leading from the front, played a crucial role, scoring his first half-century in an ICC final, guiding India in their chase of 252 runs.
India got off to a flying start, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill putting together a solid opening stand. Rohit dominated the bowlers, smashing 14 runs in the eighth over off Nathan Smith, including two boundaries and a six. India crossed the 50-run mark in just 7.2 overs, finishing the powerplay at 64/0.
Rohit reached his half-century in just 41 balls, laced with five fours and three sixes, keeping the scoreboard ticking as India reached 100 in 17 overs. However, the 105-run opening stand was broken when Mitchell Santner dismissed Shubman Gill (31 off 50 balls) with a stunning catch from Glenn Phillips.
India lost wickets in quick succession, with Michael Bracewell removing Virat Kohli for just one run, followed by Rachin Ravindra dismissing Rohit for 76 off 83 balls. At 122/3 in 26.1 overs, the game was wide open.
Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel steadied the chase, taking India past 150 in 32.5 overs. However, the Kiwis fought back as Santner dismissed Iyer (48 off 62 balls) with another fine catch from Rachin Ravindra. India was 183/4 in 38.4 overs, needing 69 off 69 balls.
As the pressure mounted, KL Rahul and Axar Patel took India past 200 in 40.5 overs, but Axar (29 off 40 balls) fell to Bracewell after an excellent catch by William O’Rourke. At 203/5 in 41.3 overs, the tension grew.
Hardik Pandya (18 off 14 balls) played a quick cameo, helping India reduce the equation to 32 off 30 balls before falling to Kyle Jamieson. However, KL Rahul held his nerve, guiding India to the finish line with an unbeaten 34 off 33 balls, while Ravindra Jadeja struck the winning boundary to seal the victory with six balls to spare.
Earlier, India’s spinners set the tone, restricting New Zealand to 251/7 despite a late onslaught from *Michael Bracewell (53 off 40 balls)**.
After winning the toss, New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner opted to bat first. The Blackcaps started strong, reaching 50 inside seven overs, before Varun Chakravarthy dismissed Will Young (15) at 57/1.
Rachin Ravindra (37 off 29 balls) played a quickfire knock but fell to Kuldeep Yadav at 69/2 in 10.1 overs. Kane Williamson (11), who had scored a century in the semi-final, was dismissed by Kuldeep with a stunning caught-and-bowled effort.
Despite reaching 100 in 19.2 overs, New Zealand struggled to build momentum. Tom Latham (14) fell to Ravindra Jadeja, while Glenn Phillips (34) was bowled by Chakravarthy, leaving them at 165/5 in 37.5 overs.
Daryl Mitchell (63 off 101 balls) anchored the innings but was dismissed by Mohammed Shami in the 46th over. Skipper Santner (8) was run out by Virat Kohli, worsening New Zealand’s position.
However, Michael Bracewell’s late fireworks ensured New Zealand posted a competitive total, smashing three fours and two sixes to remain unbeaten on 53 off 40 balls.
India’s spinners played a crucial role, with Kuldeep Yadav (2/40) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/45) leading the charge. Jadeja (1/30) and Axar Patel (0/29 in 8 overs) also kept things tight, making run-scoring difficult for the Blackcaps.
With this win, India completed an undefeated campaign, asserting their dominance and becoming the only team to win three ICC Champions Trophy titles (2002, 2013, and 2025).