London: Team India clinched the Champions Trophy after a hard-fought victory over New Zealand, successfully chasing a target of 252 with four wickets in hand. Despite a shaky middle-order collapse, the Rohit Sharma-led side held its composure to secure the title in a match that heavily favored spin bowling.
Rohit Leads the Charge, Lower Order Seals the Win
Skipper Rohit Sharma set the tone with a well-paced 76 off 83 balls, including seven fours and three sixes. However, India found itself in trouble after losing wickets in quick succession. Shreyas Iyer contributed a vital 48 before falling short of a half-century, leaving the chase in a delicate position.
With pressure mounting, KL Rahul (32*) played a crucial anchoring role, while Axar Patel (29) and Hardik Pandya (18) provided the late flourish. India reached the target with six balls to spare, securing the coveted trophy and a prize of ₹19.48 crore ($2.24 million).
Key Turning Points
India made a strong start, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill attacking early. However, New Zealand struck back in the 19th over when Glenn Phillips took a spectacular one-handed catch to dismiss Gill for 31. Soon after, Virat Kohli fell LBW to Michael Bracewell for just one run. Rohit’s dismissal while attempting an aggressive shot off Rachin Ravindra further dented India’s momentum.
As the middle order struggled, Iyer steadied the innings before his dismissal added further tension. Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya injected crucial runs, while Rahul’s composed innings ensured India crossed the finish line. Ravindra Jadeja (5*) sealed the victory, capping off a clinical performance by the Indian team.