India triumphed over a resilient New Zealand in a thrilling final of the 2025 Champions Trophy, securing a four-wicket victory at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday night. The match marked a significant moment for India as they overcame their ICC tournament nemesis, thanks to a stellar performance from their spin quartet. Wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy dismantled New Zealand’s top order, while Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel stifled the flow of runs in the middle overs.
Skipper Rohit Sharma set the tone with his aggressive batting in the powerplay, and Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul displayed composure during critical moments in the run-chase. Here’s a breakdown of the key numbers and performances that defined India’s victorious campaign:
India – The Best Batting and Bowling Unit
India boasted a combined batting average of 41.72 in the tournament. Although Australia and South Africa had slightly higher averages, India played all their matches on the bowler-friendly pitches in Dubai. In contrast, Australia played only one match in Dubai, while South Africa benefited from playing on placid tracks in Pakistan. For context, New Zealand, who played two matches in Dubai, had a batting average of 25.23 and a strike rate of 74.73. Lahore recorded the highest batting average in the competition at 40.69, while Dubai had the lowest at 30.77.
India’s bowling unit also stood out as the most potent, even in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. They had the best bowling average (27.32) and economy rate (4.8) in the tournament. The spin quartet, with a combined average of 28.38, dominated the competition, while the pacers also excelled, topping the charts with an average of 25.7.
India – The Most Lethal Spin Bowling Unit
India’s spin quartet took full advantage of the conditions in Dubai, claiming 26 wickets – the most by any spin unit in the tournament. They also led in bowling average (28.38), strike rate (37.7), and economy (4.51).
Varun Chakravarthy was the standout performer, taking 9 wickets at an average of 15.1 and an economy of 4.5. Six of his dismissals were top-order batsmen. He was particularly effective in the powerplay, conceding just 33 runs off 30 deliveries.
Kuldeep Yadav made a significant impact in the final, turning the game with the key dismissals of Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson in successive overs. He ended the tournament with 7 wickets. Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel were instrumental in restricting the opposition with a combined economy of 4.35.
Interestingly, New Zealand emerged as the second-best spin bowling unit, with a bowling average of 30.45 and strike rate of 37.9. Mitchell Santner was exceptional in the middle overs, taking 9 wickets at an average of 26.7 and economy of 4.8. Michael Bracewell was a revelation, claiming 8 wickets at 25.12 apiece with an economy of 4.1 and bowling a tournament-high 174 dot balls.
Rohit’s Aggressive Template
Rohit Sharma’s aggressive approach in the powerplay has been a cornerstone of India’s success since their early exit in the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE. In the Champions Trophy, Rohit’s 76 off 83 deliveries in the final provided India with a strong start, easing the pressure on the middle order. He scored 153 runs off just 137 deliveries in the powerplay at a strike rate of 111.7, demonstrating his effectiveness in this phase. Since 2023, Rohit’s scoring rate of 122.56 in the powerplay is the second-highest (minimum 200 runs), trailing only Travis Head.
Shreyas Iyer – The Magical Consistency
Shreyas Iyer was India’s most consistent batsman in the tournament. Scoring 243 runs in five innings, including two half-centuries, he delivered crucial performances in almost every match. His highlights included a 114-run partnership with Virat Kohli against Pakistan, a top score against New Zealand, a pressure-filled 45 against Australia in the semi-final, and a vital 48 in the final. Since his return to the Indian team for the ODI series against England, Iyer has amassed 424 runs in eight matches at a strike rate of 93.6, including four fifties and two high-impact forties.
KL Rahul – Mr. Cool
KL Rahul showcased his composure under pressure with three high-impact performances in the tournament. His unbeaten 87-run stand with Shubman Gill against Bangladesh steadied the ship after India were reduced to 144/4. In the semi-final against Australia, Rahul’s unbeaten 42 off 34 deliveries ensured a comfortable victory. In the final, he walked in at 183/4 and remained unbeaten on 34 off 33 deliveries, guiding India to a memorable four-wicket win with an over to spare.
India’s triumph in the 2025 Champions Trophy was a testament to their dominance with both bat and ball, led by exceptional individual performances and a collective team effort.
Stay updated with the latest news by visiting ZTC News and ZNews Today. Explore more stories and insights now!