India survive New Zealand fightback to win record third Champions Trophy

India, dominant throughout the tournament, got off to a strong start in their chase of 252 but found themselves in trouble after losing three wickets for just 17 runs. Captain Rohit Sharma, who scored 76, and Virat Kohli, who fell for just one, were among those dismissed.

Shreyas Iyer followed for 48, and Axar Patel went out on 29, leaving India needing 49 runs from 51 balls.

Hardik Pandya took India closer, but after his dismissal for 18, KL Rahul remained unbeaten on 34, with Ravindra Jadeja hitting the winning runs with one over to spare.

India's victory was made possible by another strong performance from their spinners, who restricted New Zealand to 251-7.

This win solidified India's status as the top-ranked white-ball team in the world. Since their loss in the 2023 World Cup final, India has won both the T20 World Cup and now the Champions Trophy for a record third time, their first victory in this event since 2013.

The team was cheered on by a large and enthusiastic Indian crowd in Dubai, with fireworks lighting up the night sky as the players rushed onto the field in celebration. However, there was a lingering sense of disappointment that the final wasn't held in Lahore, as it would have been if India had agreed to travel to Pakistan.

As seen throughout the tournament in Dubai, spin was far more challenging than pace for the batters.

In pursuit of a modest total, Rohit got India off to a fast start, hitting the second ball of the innings for six and forming a solid 105-run partnership with fellow opener Shubman Gill.

New Zealand's comeback began with a spectacular one-handed catch by Glenn Phillips-his third of the tournament-at extra cover to dismiss Gill for 31. Kohli, typically the master of chasing down targets, was dismissed lbw by off-spinner Michael Bracewell. Rohit was stumped by wicketkeeper Tom Latham off left-arm spinner Rachin Ravindra.

A crucial 61-run partnership between Axar and Iyer helped steady India, though both fell while trying to push the scoring rate. Iyer, who had been dropped earlier, was caught at short fine leg, while Axar was dismissed cheaply to long-on, allowing Mitchell Santner and Bracewell to each take a wicket.

Despite the wickets, the required run rate remained under control, hovering just above a run per ball. Rahul's composure in the chase kept India on track, and Hardik hit a huge straight six as victory drew near. It was fitting that Jadeja, another stalwart of India's white-ball team, hit the winning runs off his hip.

New Zealand, despite their best efforts, suffered their fourth defeat in a white-ball event final since 2015.

New Zealand began strongly after electing to bat, reaching 57-0 in the eighth over. However, the introduction of spin brought India back into the game.

In Varun Chakravarthy's second over, Ravindra overturned a caught behind decision but was dropped at deep square leg before Will Young was dismissed lbw for 15. Kuldeep Yadav then bowled Ravindra out for 37 and got Kane Williamson caught for 11, leaving New Zealand at 75-3. From that point, the scoring slowed significantly.

There were two separate spells of 10 overs without a boundary, and only four boundaries were hit during the middle overs-the fewest of any team in the tournament - highlighting the effectiveness of India's spinners as they consistently targeted the stumps.

All five of New Zealand's wickets in the middle overs fell to spin, with Tom Latham missing a sweep and being dismissed lbw by Jadeja, and Chakravarthy bowling Phillips for 34.

Daryl Mitchell fought hard for a patient 63 off 101 balls, but his knock was laborious. Bracewell added a quickfire 53 off 40 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes, but it was clear that New Zealand's total was not enough to defend. 

READ MORE: CSA director backs under-fire Proteas white-ball coach Rob Walter to stay on