India beat New Zealand by four wickets to win Champions Trophy final

India finish Champions Trophy campaign with a four-wicket victory

India lifted the ICC Champions Trophy after defeating New Zealand by four wickets in the final, completing a tournament-winning run built on disciplined bowling, effective spin and contributions from players throughout the squad.

Rohit Sharma set the tone in the chase with an outstanding 76 from 83 balls. Named Player of the Match, the Indian captain used his feet confidently and attacked the early overs, drawing on his experience of the conditions and giving India the platform they needed.

Rohit said the team’s batting depth allowed them to take the game to New Zealand’s new-ball bowlers. He also credited the support he received from the team and described the victory as the result of consistently strong cricket throughout the tournament.

Rahul and Jadeja steer India home

India’s chase was completed by KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, who handled the pressure on a tricky pitch. Rohit praised Rahul’s calm temperament, saying his composure allowed other batters, including Hardik Pandya, to play more freely.

Hardik also highlighted Rahul’s contribution, saying the wicketkeeper-batter took his chances at the right moments. Jadeja similarly praised the pair for batting particularly well during the final 10 overs as the pitch became more difficult to negotiate.

Spinners prove decisive

India’s spin attack again played a central role. Rohit said the team’s spinners had not disappointed during the competition and praised the planning behind the decision to use four of them. Kuldeep Yadav credited the wider team effort and said Rahul and Jadeja’s finish meant he was not required to bat.

Varun Chakaravarthy, who was brought into the side during the latter stages of the tournament, described his inclusion and impact as unexpected. He said the result was a dream come true and attributed his success to sticking to the team’s plans.

New Zealand fall short but earn praise

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said his side had been beaten by the better team on the day. He believed New Zealand were approximately 20 to 25 runs short, but praised the group’s fighting spirit and the way different players contributed throughout the tournament.

Santner singled out Rohit’s first Powerplay batting, calling it outstanding, and said captaining New Zealand at his first ICC event had been an enjoyable experience. India’s Virat Kohli also praised the Black Caps’ belief, planning and fielding, while expressing respect for Kane Williamson and the New Zealand team.

Ravindra named Player of the Tournament

New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra was named Player of the Tournament after scoring 263 runs, including two centuries. Ravindra said the defeat was difficult but credited India for being a strong side. He added that tournament cricket brings out his best because every player is united by the goal of winning the trophy.

Rohit received the Champions Trophy from ICC Chairman Jay Shah during the presentation ceremony before India’s players collected their medals and white winners’ jackets. The victory gave India a memorable conclusion to the tournament and extended their run to eight consecutive ODI wins, according to Shubman Gill.