India triumphed over New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final with a four-wicket victory, led by Rohit Sharma’s innings of 76 runs. This marked India’s third title in the tournament, enhancing their impressive record of 23 victories in their last 24 ICC games since 2023. New Zealand continues to seek additional achievements, with their only ICC trophy from the 2000 Champions Trophy.
In the final of the Champions Trophy, India secured another global cricket title by defeating New Zealand by four wickets. Batting first, New Zealand set a target of 254 runs, and India successfully chased it down, finishing with a score of 254-6 in 49 overs. Key performances included Rohit Sharma’s 76 runs off 83 balls and Lokesh Rahul’s unbeaten 34, contributing significantly to the victory that marked India’s third triumph in this tournament.
Rohit Sharma initiated India’s innings with a dynamic performance, including seven fours and three sixes. Hardik Pandya added 18 runs, forming a vital partnership with Rahul for the sixth wicket that proved crucial in clinching the win. It is noteworthy that India has achieved an impressive record of 23 wins in their last 24 matches across three men’s ICC events since 2023, with their only defeat occurring against Australia in the 2023 Cricket World Cup final.
India’s previous Champions Trophy victories were in 2013, while they were runners-up in 2017 against Pakistan and even shared the title with Sri Lanka in a 2002 rain-affected final. Conversely, New Zealand’s only Champions Trophy win dates back to 2000 when they defeated India. This victory continues to remain the sole limited-overs ICC trophy in New Zealand’s collection.
All the matches of this tournament for India were held in Dubai due to restrictions placed by the Indian government regarding security concerns in Pakistan. This highlights the complex dynamics surrounding international cricket events and how external factors can influence hosting decisions.
In summary, India’s success in the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand underscores the team’s remarkable form and consistency in international cricket. With standout performances from key players like Rohit Sharma and Lokesh Rahul, India adds another prestigious title to its accolades while reflecting on their historical standings in the tournament. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s sole ICC trophy remains a testament to their resilience in the industry.
Original Source: m.economictimes.com
