India clinched the Champions Trophy by defeating New Zealand by four wickets, with Rohit Sharma leading the charge. This victory marks India’s third title in the tournament, highlighting their dominance in recent ICC events. Historical context also shows both teams’ competitive pasts, particularly New Zealand’s previous win in 2000.
India triumphed in the Champions Trophy by defeating New Zealand with a four-wicket victory in the final. Captain Rohit Sharma spearheaded the chase with a score of 76 runs off 83 balls, while Lokesh Rahul contributed an unbeaten 34, leading India to a total of 254-6 in just 49 overs. This win marks India’s third title in the Champions Trophy, reflecting their strong performance in recent ICC events.
Sharma’s aggressive play established a strong foundation for India’s innings, featuring seven fours and three sixes. Hardik Pandya’s 18 runs, along with Rahul, built a vital partnership of 38 runs for the sixth wicket. Overall, India has achieved 23 wins in 24 matches in the last three men’s ICC tournaments since 2023, with the only loss occurring against Australia in the 2023 Cricket World Cup final.
Historically, India achieved their previous Champions Trophy victories in 2013 and was runner-up in 2017 to Pakistan. They also shared the trophy with Sri Lanka in 2002 due to rain interruptions. New Zealand’s sole Champions Trophy win was in 2000 when they defeated India in Nairobi, which is their only limited-overs ICC title to date.
All matches for this tournament were held in Dubai after India was unable to play in Pakistan due to security concerns. This record highlights both the teams’ competitive spirit and India’s sustained excellence in international cricket, especially in ICC events.
In conclusion, India solidified their status as a cricket powerhouse by winning the Champions Trophy for the third time, showcasing their stellar performance under captain Rohit Sharma. Their ability to consistently perform at high levels in recent tournaments further cements their esteemed position in global cricket, while New Zealand continues to seek additional titles following their lone Champions Trophy victory in 2000.
Original Source: m.economictimes.com
