In a moment etched in Indian cricket history, the Men in Blue clinched the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, breaking a 12-year drought since their last triumph in 2013. The victory, secured against a resilient New Zealand side at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 9, sparked celebrations across the nation and cemented India's place as the most successful team in Champions Trophy history with three titles.
The final was a captivating contest. New Zealand, after winning the toss, posted a competitive total of 251/7, with Daryl Mitchell's patient 63 and Michael Bracewell's late surge of an unbeaten 53 being the highlights. India's spin quartet, comprising Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja, played a crucial role in restricting the Black Caps' scoring rate. Kuldeep and Varun took two wickets each.
In response, India began their chase with intent, as captain Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill forged a formidable opening partnership of 105 runs. Sharma led the charge with an aggressive 76 off 83 balls. However, New Zealand fought back, taking quick wickets and leaving the match in the balance. Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel steadied the ship with a 50-run partnership. With the game hanging in the balance, KL Rahul showcased composure, his unbeaten 34, combined with Hardik Pandya's quickfire 18, edged India closer to the target. Ravindra Jadeja sealed the victory with a boundary, leading India to 254/6 with an over to spare.
India's journey to the title was marked by dominant performances throughout the tournament. They remained unbeaten, securing wins against Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand in the group stage, before overcoming Australia in the semi-final. The semi-final saw India chase down a target of 264 with four wickets and 11 balls to spare.
The victory was not just a result of individual brilliance but a collective team effort. Rohit Sharma's leadership was praised, and he was recognized as the fifth captain to win multiple ICC trophies. The bowling attack, spearheaded by the spin quartet and Mohammed Shami, consistently delivered crucial breakthroughs.
Reactions to India's triumph poured in from across the cricketing world. Former players, analysts, and fans lauded the team's performance, with many acknowledging India's dominance in white-ball cricket. Sachin Tendulkar, Jasprit Bumrah, and Yuvraj Singh were among those who congratulated the team on their historic feat. Shoaib Akhtar acknowledged India as the "best team of the tournament".
This Champions Trophy victory further solidified India's dominance in recent ICC events. The team's ability to adapt and perform under varying conditions was instrumental in their success. This win marked India's second back-to-back ICC trophy victory, following their T20 World Cup win in 2024. With this win, India became the first team to win three Champions Trophy titles.
