India need 252 runs to win third Champions Trophy title
India put a stranglehold on New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final in Dubai, limiting them to 251/7.
The spinners took control in the middle of the game with Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav both taking two wickets.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The Black Caps had made a quick start, with Will Young and Rachin Ravindra both having some near-misses.
But Varun eventually made the breakthrough, taking out Young lbw in the eighth over.
Ravindra's promising start was cut short for 37 runs off 29 balls, bowled by Kuldeep, who then caught-and-bowled Kane Williamson two overs later.
Tom Latham was trapped lbw by Ravindra Jadeja for 14, Glenn Phillips put in a valuable 34 off 52 balls, hitting two fours and a six, and Daryl Mitchell's 63 from 101 balls was also useful, but included only three boundaries.
Mitchell Santner was run out as his side pushed for more runs in the penultimate over, and Michael Bracewell reached his half-century with one ball of the innings left to give himself and the rest of the bowlers a target to work with.
New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner won the toss and opted to bat first.
India have had a seamless run to the final - remaining unbeaten - and bested Australia in the semi-final to punch their ticket for the final.
Varun castles Phillips to dent New Zealand's progress
Varun Chakravarthy broke through the castle of Glenn Phillips as New Zealand's hope of a grandstand finish following a slow repair work in the middle overs took a big blow.
Phillips was bowled for 34 off 52 deliveries as New Zealand reached 165 for five after 38 overs. With Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner still at the crease, New Zealand can still hope for a decent total if they stick around till the end.
Indian's spin quartet out the brakes on New Zealand innings, bringing it to a slow crawl in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai on Sunday.
The Kiwis had made a brisk start, with Rachin Ravindra leading the charge. But once the spinners were introduced, India started to take control with three quick wickets.
Kuldeep Yadav got rid of Ravindra and Kane Williamson while Varun Chakravarthy had got Will Young as New Zealand slipped from 57-0 to 75-3 within six overs.
Ravindra Jadeja then broke a 33-run stand for the fourth wicket, sending back Tom Latham for 14. After 25 overs, New Zealand were 114 for four.
Ravindra's luck runs out
Rachin Ravindra was given reprieve twice in two overs before he fell to a googly from Kuldeep Yadav in the final of the Champions Trophy against India in Dubai.
The left-handed Ravindra, who has a habit of scoring big runs in ICC global events, started the innings in aggressive mode as the Kiwis reached 50 in just seven overs. The youngster, who already has two centuries in the tournament, however was dropped on 28 by Mohammad Shami off his own bowling. In the next over by Varun Chakravarthy, Shreyas Iyer dropped Ravindra on 29.
Varun, however, got rid of Will Young (15 off 23) as New Zealand reached 69 for one after 10 overs. But as Kuldeep Yadav came to bowl, Ravindra's innings ended as he was outfoxed with a googly, the left-hander falling for a 29-ball 37. Kane Williamson was joined in the middle by Daryl Mitchell.
New Zealand opt to bat against India in final
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and opted to bat first against India in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy. Matt Henry, the leading wickettaker of the tournament, has been ruled out and replaced by Nathan Smith. India go with the same team.
Santner said at the toss: "We will try and put some runs on the board. A few blue shirts out there. A great occasion and a great stadium. It is going to be a good final. Slightly different to what we had in Pakistan. We saw India play very well and we will try and get some runs on the board and see how it goes. Different guys have stepped up at different times. It is going to be a good game."
Rohit Sharma said: "I don't mind batting second. It is a good pitch, hasn't change a lot. We have to bowl first and we just need to focus how to restrict them. At the end of the day, what matters is how well you want to play. We don't want to worry about the toss. We have played good cricket. Another important game. We will see what needs to be done. NZ have been a great team. Another challenge, how well we can play."
TEAMS
New Zealand: 1 Will Young, 2 Rachin Ravindra, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Daryl Mitchell, 5 Tom Latham (wk), 6 Glenn Phillips, 7 Michael Bracewell, 8 Mitchell Santner (capt), 9 Kyle Jamieson, 10 Nathan Smith, 11 Will O'Rourke
India: 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Shubman Gill, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Shreyas Iyer, 5 Axar Patel, 6 KL Rahul (wk), 7 Hardik Pandya, 8 Ravindra Jadeja, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Mohammed Shami, 11 Varun Chakravarthy
Akash Chopra at the pitch report said: "It is the same pitch as the one on which the India-Pakistan game was played. Aakash Chopra says that the pitch is very dry, but rock hard. These patches won't break. Not a lot of turn and as the day goes on, the pitch will continue to wear. Batting first will be key. The teams will look to score 270 and above."
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