Summary: ICC Champions Trophy Final- India Defeated New Zealand at Dubai The ICC Champions Trophy final at the Dubai International Stadium was a fitting climax to the tournament. A colourful spectacle took place on March 9, with India securing their third Champions Trophy title after winning a dramatic last-over thriller against the Black Caps.
New Zealand’s Determination: Making a Fighting Total
After winning the toss, New Zealand opted to bat first and it was an easy choice given the dry conditions and the pitch, which is known to produce runs in the first innings. Will Young and Rachin Ravindra made a positive start to the innings and put together a decent partnership of 57 runs before Young fell to a leg-before decision, off the bowling of Varun Chakaravarthy, which essentially gave India’s bowling attack an opening to hit back.
Ravindra was looking set for something special but was bowled by Kuldeep Yadav for a score of 37, while Williamson, who was looking impressive fell to what turned out to be a very sharp catch of his own bowling, by Kuldeep Yadav. Daryl Mitchell was the heart of the innings, scoring 63 runs in 101 balls, whilst wickets fell at the other end. Michael Bracewell was also able to strike briskly with 53 not out in 40 balls, allowing New Zealand to end on a creditable total of 251/7 after their 50 overs.
The star of the show was India’s spinners—Chakaravorthy (2/45) and Kuldeep (2/40)—who suffocated New Zealand’s scoring throughout the middle overs and picked up some key wickets, restricting New Zealand to just over three runs an over between the 11th and 30th overs. Some brisk death-over hitting provided a brief threat of going above 270, but Bumrah and Shami kept their end of the bargain.
India’s Chase: From Solid to Shakey
India’s chase began with intent. Rohit Sharma led from the front with a positive and calm mindset with a quick-fire 76 off 83 balls, and put on 105 for the opening stand with Shubman Gill (31). India were ahead of the asking rate after the powerplay, and neutral spectators might have possibly called it a day. However, this was a final, so nerves were on everyone’s mind.
Glenn Phillips produced an outstanding jump into the air to snatch Gill, and four balls later, Michael Bracewell trapped Kohli at lbw for just 1, spontaneously reigniting the hopes of the Kiwis. When Rohit fell soon after, bowled by Rachin Ravindra, a mini-collapse was to take place. Iyer steadied his nerves and put on 48 for the second wicket, until he fell and India had lost three wickets for just 17 runs. The anticipation from the crowd turned to nervousness as the run-rate climbed, and the runs required were more in question.
Jadeja and Rahul: Calmness Earns the Rewards
As the game reached a crucial point, India needed resolve. Enter Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul. When Axar Patel (29) and Hardik Pandya (18) left prior under pressure both Jadeja’s calm disposition and Rahul’s clever cricket kicked in, enabling the two to slowly turn the game back India’s way. They absorbed the pressure and rotated the strike, scoring from just the loose ball, while never feeling rushed, even as the run rate climbed.
It was fitting that Jadeja – India’s ever reliable all-rounder – hit the winning boundary, as India chased down the target of 83 runs, delighting Indian fans everywhere. Rahul was not out on 34, showing he could keep his head under fire, while Jadeja came in and played smart for 9 runs. Additional evidence that Jadeja is a big game player.
Main Learning and Reaction
Third Champions Trophy Title: This is the third time India has won the Champions Trophy, and India remains a white-ball powerhouse with an unbeaten record in this tournament this year.
Spinners Rule: As they have most of the time in subcontinental conditions away from home, India’s spinners made the difference in the final by taking wickets and strangling runs.
Another Near-Miss for New Zealand: For New Zealand, like before in white-ball finals, it was another near-miss, despite the grit of Mitchell, Bracewell, and their athletic fielding, especially Glenn Phillips.
Dubai’s Festival Feel: The crowd in Dubai, with its majority Indian presence, served up a festival occasion. While many will regard the outcome as a disappointment given the thoughts of a Lahore final, even this could not diminish the excitement in Dubai- right up until the end.
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