Champions Trophy: Spin Attack and Key Performances Propel India to Third Title

Dubai, March 9 (NationPress) India's spin bowlers were instrumental in securing five wickets on a slow pitch, while captain Rohit Sharma led the charge with a top score of 76 runs. KL Rahul remained composed to finish with an unbeaten 34, guiding India to their third Champions Trophy victory with a four-wicket win over New Zealand in the final held at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.

On a bright afternoon, contrasting half-centuries from all-rounders Daryl Mitchell (63 off 101 balls) and Michael Bracewell (53 not out off 40 balls) helped New Zealand post 251/7 in their allotted 50 overs. The wrist-spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy each took two wickets, while Ravindra Jadeja chipped in with one.

A target of 252 seemed manageable for India on a pitch that offered limited turn, as Rohit, who struck seven fours and three sixes in his 76 off 83 balls, and Shubman Gill built a solid opening partnership of 105 runs. However, New Zealand's consistent breakthroughs injected a sense of urgency into India's chase.

Yet, India's remarkable batting depth ultimately secured the victory with an over to spare, despite New Zealand's spinners challenging them. With Iyer contributing 48 runs off 62 balls, Rahul's calm demeanor saw him finish at 34 not out from 33 balls, marking India's third Champions Trophy title after wins in 2002 and 2013. This victory also represents India's second ICC trophy in 12 months, following their T20 World Cup win in June last year.

With this triumph in Dubai, India solidifies its status as the most successful team in the Champions Trophy's history, achieving this feat in front of a stadium predominantly filled with Indian supporters. The victory serves as a welcome relief for the Indian team and its passionate fans after the disappointment of missing out on the 2023 ODI World Cup on home soil.

Rohit commenced the chase with his characteristic aggression, smashing Kyle Jamieson for a six and following it up with two fours off William O’Rourke. He greeted Nathan Smith with a premeditated six before pulling Jamieson for another boundary, all while Shubman Gill was dropped on six by Daryl Mitchell at mid-wicket.

Rohit was unstoppable, bringing up India's fifty with a colossal six off Smith, then lap-sweeping and cutting him for two more boundaries to reach his half-century in just 41 balls. Although Santner and Rachin Ravindra managed to contain the openers, they lacked the precision of India's spin bowling quartet, allowing the Indian openers to maintain a steady run rate.

Gill broke the shackles with a six off Ravindra, while Rohit pulled Santner for another boundary as India reached the hundred mark in just 17 overs. However, after the drinks break, Glenn Phillips made a stunning one-handed catch at extra cover to dismiss Gill for 31 off Santner's bowling.

Michael Bracewell struck with his very first delivery, getting one to turn in from outside off-stump and trap Virat Kohli lbw for just one, leading India to burn a review. The precision of the spinners forced Rohit and Shreyas Iyer to play cautiously and minimize risks.

Rohit attempted to relieve the dot-ball pressure with a slog against Ravindra, but was beaten by the turn and stumped by Tom Latham for 76. Iyer and Axar Patel then focused on rotating the strike, with Iyer hitting a four and a six in the process.

Iyer celebrated the partnership's fifty with a slog-sweep for a massive six off Phillips but was dropped on 44 by Jamieson at long-on on the next ball. Just after the second drinks break, Iyer attempted a premeditated pull shot but was caught at short fine leg off Santner for 48.

With 69 runs required from 68 balls, Axar smashed a slog-sweep for six off Santner, while Rahul lofted the left-arm spinner for another maximum. However, New Zealand continued to apply pressure as Axar was dismissed for 29 in Bracewell's final over.

With 40 runs needed off 36 balls, Rahul alleviated some pressure by driving O’Rourke for four, while Hardik Pandya hit a six down the ground off Ravindra. Although Pandya fell for 11 to Jamieson, Jadeja capped off the chase with a boundary, celebrating enthusiastically as India emerged as the Champions Trophy champions, maintaining their flawless ODI record in Dubai.

Brief Scores: New Zealand 251/7 in 50 overs (Daryl Mitchell 63, Michael Bracewell 53 not out; Kuldeep Yadav 2-40, Varun Chakaravarthy 2-45) lost to India 254/6 in 49 overs (Rohit Sharma 76, Shreyas Iyer 48; Michael Bracewell 2-28, Mitchell Santner 2-46) by four wickets.