DUBAI: Rohit Sharma scored a match-winning fifty as India defeated New Zealand by four wickets in the Champions Trophy 2025 final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. Set to chase a target of 252 runs, India successfully reached their goal with six wickets in hand and six balls to spare, claiming the trophy for a record third time in the tournament’s history.
India got off to a strong start in their chase, with their openers putting together an impressive partnership of 105 runs in 18.3 overs before Shubman Gill was dismissed for 31 runs off 50 balls. Virat Kohli then joined Rohit Sharma at the crease, but his innings lasted just two balls, during which he scored only one run.
Shreyas Iyer came in next and partnered with Rohit Sharma to continue the chase. However, India lost their third wicket at 122 runs when Rohit Sharma was dismissed for 76 runs off 83 balls at the very start of the 26th over.
Iyer and Axar Patel then formed a crucial 61-run partnership, bringing India’s total to 183 in 38.3 overs. Iyer was dismissed after scoring 48 runs off 62 balls, bringing wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul to the crease. Patel contributed 29 runs off 40 balls before he was out, leaving India needing 49 runs to win.
Hardik Pandya scored 18 runs off 18 deliveries and formed a significant partnership of 38 runs with KL Rahul. Ravindra Jadeja then joined Rahul at the crease, with India needing just 11 runs off the last 15 deliveries to secure victory. Rahul remained unbeaten on 34 runs as India chased down the 252-run target in 49 overs.
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