Champions Trophy: Rohit, Iyer, and Rahul Lead India to Third Title Victory

Synopsis

On March 9, Captain Rohit Sharma's 76 runs, along with contributions from Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul, led India to a four-wicket victory over New Zealand, securing their third Champions Trophy title at the Dubai International Stadium. This triumph comes as a relief after the team's earlier ODI World Cup disappointment.

Key Takeaways

Rohit Sharma scored 76 runs for India.
India won their third Champions Trophy title.
Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul made vital contributions.
New Zealand set a target of 252 runs.
Indian spinners played a key role in the match.

Dubai, March 9 (NationPress) Captain Rohit Sharma was the standout performer with 76 runs, while Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Hardik Pandya provided crucial support, securing India's third Champions Trophy title with a four-wicket win against New Zealand in the final held at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.

Chasing a target of 252 seemed manageable for India on a pitch that offered little turn, yet New Zealand's persistent strikes posed a challenge. After Rohit was dismissed for an explosive 76 off 83 balls, a sense of trepidation emerged in India's innings. Nevertheless, the remarkable batting depth ensured that India crossed the finish line with an over to spare, despite the valiant efforts of New Zealand's spinners.

Iyer contributed 48 runs from 62 balls, while Rahul composed himself to remain unbeaten at 34 off 33 balls, culminating in India's third Champions Trophy victory, following wins in 2002 and 2013, solidifying their status as the most successful team in the tournament's history in front of a predominantly Indian crowd.

This victory serves as a comforting relief for the Indian team and its dedicated fans after the disappointment of missing out on the 2023 ODI World Cup title on home soil. 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) guided New Zealand to a total of 251/7 in their allotted overs.

The Indian spinners were instrumental, collectively claiming five wickets on a sluggish pitch. The wrist-spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy each took two wickets, while Ravindra Jadeja added another, laying a solid foundation for a consistently performing team.

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.