Sun Mar 09 18:33:04 UTC 2025: ## India Clinches Champions Trophy, Defeats New Zealand in Thrilling Final
**Dubai, UAE:** India secured a convincing victory over New Zealand in the final of the Champions Trophy in Dubai on Sunday. Chasing a 252-run target, India reached the finish line with six balls to spare, thanks to a fluent 76 from Rohit Sharma and exceptional bowling performances from Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy.
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner conceded defeat, praising India’s superior performance. While acknowledging a strong start by opener Rachin Ravindra and a late fightback from the New Zealand bowlers, Santner highlighted India’s spin attack as a key factor in stifling the Kiwi batsmen. He noted that New Zealand fell short of their target runs by 20-25.
Santner also lauded individual performances, praising Glenn Phillips’ spectacular leaping catch to dismiss Shubman Gill and acknowledging Rohit Sharma’s impressive run rate. He singled out Ravindra for special praise, emphasizing the young player’s consistent contributions throughout the tournament, including a century, and his all-around skills. Santner described the tournament as enjoyable and highlighted the team’s growth and adaptability throughout the competition. Despite the loss, he expressed pride in his team’s performance and the contributions of each player.
First Piper 