The IND vs NZ CT 2025 Final Match will go down in history as one of the most thrilling ICC tournament finals. Held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, this showdown saw India outclass New Zealand to claim their third ICC Champions Trophy title.
With Rohit Sharma’s leadership, India’s impeccable spin attack, and a composed chase under pressure, the Men in Blue proved once again why they are a dominant force in international cricket. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s valiant effort, spearheaded by Michael Bracewell and Glenn Phillips, showcased their resilience but ultimately fell short.
Let’s dive into the full match recap, key performances, tactical breakdown, and what this victory means for both teams moving forward.
India’s Journey to the IND vs NZ CT 2025 Final Match
India entered the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final as an undefeated side, displaying remarkable consistency throughout the tournament. Here’s a quick look at their road to glory:
- Group Stage: Convincing wins against Bangladesh, Pakistan, and South Africa.
- Semi-Final: A dominant performance against Australia, thanks to Virat Kohli’s masterclass and Mohammed Shami’s lethal bowling.
- Final: India maintained their composure in a high-pressure game against New Zealand, showcasing an all-round performance to lift the trophy.
New Zealand, on the other hand, fought hard to reach the final, displaying grit and determination in every match. Their semi-final win over South Africa highlighted their ability to handle pressure, making them formidable opponents for India in the grand finale.
IND vs NZ CT 2025 Final Match – Full Match Recap
New Zealand’s Batting Performance – A Steady Start & Late Surge
Winning the toss, New Zealand opted to bat first, aiming to set a challenging total. Their innings unfolded as follows:
Powerplay Brilliance: Will and Rachin gave New Zealand a flying start, adding 69 runs in the first 10 overs.
Spin Stranglehold: After the powerplay, India’s spin duo—Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy—put the brakes on New Zealand’s scoring, slowing the momentum and picking crucial wickets.
Michael Bracewell’s Heroics: Just when New Zealand seemed in trouble, Bracewell’s blistering 53 off 40 balls provided much-needed momentum, taking the team to a competitive total of 251/7 in 50 overs.
Key Stats from New Zealand’s Innings:
- Daryl Mitchell – 63 (101)
- Rachin Ravindra – 37 (29)
- Michael Bracewell – 53 (40)
- Kuldeep Yadav – 2/40 (10 overs)
Despite the steady start and explosive finish, New Zealand fell slightly short of an ideal total, especially considering the batting-friendly conditions in Dubai.
India’s Run Chase – Rohit Sharma Leads the Charge
Chasing 252, India needed a strong start, and that’s exactly what they got!
Rohit Sharma & Shubman Gill’s Powerplay Dominance: The duo put up a 105-run partnership, taking full advantage of the powerplay. Rohit’s captain’s knock of 76 off 83 balls set the perfect foundation for India’s chase.
Glenn Phillips’ Stunning Fielding Turns the Game: New Zealand fought back when Phillips took a breathtaking one-handed catch to dismiss Gill (31 off 50 balls), followed by Virat Kohli’s early departure (1 off 2 balls).
Middle-Order Resilience: With India suddenly in trouble at 120/3, Shreyas Iyer (48) and KL Rahul (34) anchored the chase, ensuring there were no further hiccups.
The Winning Moment: KL Rahul’s composed finish saw India cross the line at 254/6 in 49 overs, securing a 4-wicket victory with six balls to spare.
Key Stats from India’s Innings:
- Rohit Sharma – 76 (83)
- Shubman Gill – 31 (50)
- Shreyas Iyer – 48 (62)
- KL Rahul – 34 (33)
Key Player Performances – IND vs NZ CT 2025 Final Match
India’s Match-Winning Heroes
Rohit Sharma: 76 off 83 balls, led from the front, setting the tone for the chase.
Kuldeep Yadav: 2/40, choked New Zealand’s scoring rate in the middle overs.
KL Rahul: 34 off 33, ensured a calm finish under pressure.
New Zealand’s Fighting Stars
Michael Bracewell: 53 off 40 & 2 wickets – an all-round performance, but not enough to take New Zealand over the line.
Glenn Phillips: Sensational fielding effort, game-changing catch to dismiss Gill.
Tactical Breakdown – How India Won the IND vs NZ CT 2025 Final Match
Spin Domination: India’s Kuldeep-Axar-Jadeja trio controlled the middle overs, preventing New Zealand from accelerating.
Top-Order Stability: The opening partnership between Sharma & Gill ensured India stayed ahead of the required rate.
Middle-Order Adaptability: Even after Virat Kohli’s early dismissal, India’s middle-order batters rotated strike well, denying New Zealand’s pacers any breakthroughs.
Death Over Precision: Unlike New Zealand, India executed their death overs better, restricting New Zealand from crossing 270+.
What This Win Means for India & New Zealand
India’s Third ICC Champions Trophy Title!
- 2002 (Shared with Sri Lanka)
- 2013 (Defeated England in the final)
- 2025 (Defeated New Zealand)
What’s Next for Team India?
- This victory cements India’s dominance in ICC white-ball tournaments.
- A major confidence booster ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027.
New Zealand’s ICC Final Heartbreak Continues
- New Zealand has now lost multiple ICC finals in recent years (2019 ODI WC, 2021 T20 WC, 2025 CT Final).
- Need to rework their strategy in crucial knockout matches.
Conclusion – A Victory for the Ages!
The IND vs NZ CT 2025 Final Match was nothing short of a cricketing spectacle! While New Zealand fought valiantly, it was India’s composure, Rohit Sharma’s leadership, and brilliant all-round cricket that sealed the historic win.
This third Champions Trophy title adds another feather to India’s cricketing legacy, proving why they are one of the most dominant teams in ICC tournaments.
What did you think about India’s victory? Comment below & share your favorite moments!
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