Skipper Rohit Sharma led from the front with a crucial half-century as India secured their third Champions Trophy title, defeating New Zealand by four wickets in a tense final on Sunday.

After losing his 12th consecutive toss, Rohit’s men bowled first, restricting New Zealand to 251/7 in 50 overs. Kuldeep Yadav (2/40) and Varun Chakaravarthy (2/45) played pivotal roles with the ball, ensuring the Kiwis never ran away with the game. Daryl Mitchell (63 off 101), Michael Bracewell (53* off 40), and Rachin Ravindra (37 off 29) were New Zealand’s key contributors.

Chasing 252, India got off to a steady start, with Rohit anchoring the innings with a fluent 76 off 83 balls. Shreyas Iyer (48 off 62) provided valuable support, keeping India on track. However, a couple of quick wickets at 183/3 created some tension. Hardik Pandya’s brisk 18-run cameo and KL Rahul’s composed 34* off 33 balls ensured India crossed the finish line with six balls to spare.

This triumph capped an unbeaten campaign for India, showcasing their dominance throughout the tournament. With this win, India became the only team to lift the Champions Trophy three times, having previously won in 2002 and 2013.

Brief Scores:
New Zealand: 251/7 in 50 overs (Daryl Mitchell 63, Michael Bracewell 53*, Rachin Ravindra 37; Kuldeep Yadav 2/40, Varun Chakaravarthy 2/45).
India: 254/6 in 49 overs (Rohit Sharma 76, Shreyas Iyer 48; Mitchell Santner 2/46, Michael Bracewell 2/28).

Skipper Rohit Sharma led from the front with a crucial half-century as India secured their third Champions Trophy title, defeating New Zealand by four wickets in a tense final on Sunday.

After losing his 12th consecutive toss, Rohit’s men bowled first, restricting New Zealand to 251/7 in 50 overs. Kuldeep Yadav (2/40) and Varun Chakaravarthy (2/45) played pivotal roles with the ball, ensuring the Kiwis never ran away with the game. Daryl Mitchell (63 off 101), Michael Bracewell (53* off 40), and Rachin Ravindra (37 off 29) were New Zealand’s key contributors.

Chasing 252, India got off to a steady start, with Rohit anchoring the innings with a fluent 76 off 83 balls. Shreyas Iyer (48 off 62) provided valuable support, keeping India on track. However, a couple of quick wickets at 183/3 created some tension. Hardik Pandya’s brisk 18-run cameo and KL Rahul’s composed 34* off 33 balls ensured India crossed the finish line with six balls to spare.

This triumph capped an unbeaten campaign for India, showcasing their dominance throughout the tournament. With this win, India became the only team to lift the Champions Trophy three times, having previously won in 2002 and 2013.

Brief Scores:
New Zealand: 251/7 in 50 overs (Daryl Mitchell 63, Michael Bracewell 53*, Rachin Ravindra 37; Kuldeep Yadav 2/40, Varun Chakaravarthy 2/45).
India: 254/6 in 49 overs (Rohit Sharma 76, Shreyas Iyer 48; Mitchell Santner 2/46, Michael Bracewell 2/28).