It was a moment of validation for India’s revamped ODI approach as Rohit Sharma’s men clinched their first major 50-over title in 12 years. India defeated New Zealand by four wickets in the Champions Trophy 2025 final, securing the top prize in Dubai on Sunday, 9 March.
India became the first team to win the Champions Trophy three times, surpassing two-time winners Australia. Rohit Sharma also became only the second Indian captain, after MS Dhoni, to win multiple ICC men’s white-ball titles.
Led by Rohit Sharma’s 76 and an all-round bowling effort from their formidable spin quartet, India triumphed in a battle of grit against New Zealandone of their biggest nemeses in ICC tournaments. Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy shone with the ball, taking two wickets each as New Zealand squandered a solid start to post 251, a par total on the sluggish Dubai pitch.
Rohit Sharma led from the front with a captain’s knock, staying true to his all-or-nothing approach. This time, on the day of the big final, the bold path he charted led him to glory — unlike in 2023.
From the outset, he looked intent on sending a few into the stands, but his ability to mix aggression with caution paid off. However, he was unable to stay until the end to see through the chase, despite shouldering the burden of run-scoring in the middle order after opener Shubman Gill and star batter Virat Kohli fell early.
Rohit read the conditions like a master tactician and went after the New Zealand bowlers, knowing fully well that the pitch would slow down in the latter half of the chase. Rohit got to his fifty in just 41 balls, effortlessly hitting the pacers and spinners into the stands in the powerplay.
“We played some really good cricket throughout the tournament, to come out and have the result our way is a great feeling. Very happy with how we played this game,” Rohit Sharma said after winning the Player of the Match award in the final.
Captain Rohit Sharma and his team received the Champions Trophy from ICC President Jay Shah in Dubai, dressed sharply in their traditional white blazers-an honour reserved for champions.
