New Delhi: The Indian men’s team won the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after defeating New Zealand by five wickets in the final at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai. This was the third championship for the Asian team in the eight-team ICC tournament after previously winning in 2013 and 2002 (joint-winners with Sri Lanka).
New Zealand, who won the toss in the final and opted to bat first, posted 251 for 7 in the first innings after Daryl Mitchell (63) and Michael Bracewell (53*) hit determined fifties on a tricky surface. Varun Chakravarthy (2 for 45) and Kuldeep Yadav (2 for 40) were key for India as the spinners once again stepped up to find breakthroughs.
Rohit Sharma started the chase with a brisk innings of 76 runs from 83 balls. The likes of Shreyas Iyer (48), Axar Patel (29) and KL Rahul (34) showcased the strength of the middle order by not succumbing to the pressure mounted by the Black caps with a few dismissals. India completed the win in the penultimate over of their innings with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja hitting the winning runs.
India won all of their matches (five) in the Champions Trophy to add to their white-ball success of the T20 World Cup 2024, which was won in the West Indies last year. Let’s look at the Indian players who were instrumental in the team’s success in Dubai this time.
1) Varun Chakravarthy
Varun Chakravarthy wasn’t named in the provisional squad for India in the Champions Trophy (announced in January). He made his ODI debut against England in Cuttack and was selected in the updated squad after senior pacer Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out owing to an injury.
Chakravarthy didn’t play in the first two matches against Bangladesh and Pakistan. He played his first game in the tournament against New Zealand in the group stage and made an impact straight away. The leg-spinner claimed his maiden ODI fifer (5 for 42) to help India defend 249 on the board and top the Group A table.
He picked the big wicket of Travis Head in the semifinal match against Australia with 2 for 49 as India won by four wickets. In the final, Chakravarthy gave the team the much-needed breakthrough with the removal of New Zealand opener Will Young.
2) Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli has now won his fourth ICC major trophy after being part of India’s triumphant campaigns in the 2011 World Cup, 2013 Champions Trophy, 2024 T20 World Cup, and now 2025 Champions Trophy. Although Kohli made just one run in the final, he was the team’s second most run-getter in the tournament with 218 runs in five innings at an average of 54.50.
He smashed an unbeaten 100 against Pakistan in the high-octane clash to lead India’s moderate chase. He also made 84 runs off 98 balls against Australia in the semifinal to anchor the challenging 265-run chase.
3) Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer has given the Indian middle order a better flexibility as he puts a heavy weight on his wicket. The India No.4 was the team’s highest run-scorer with 243 runs in five matches at 48.60 with the assistance of two fifties. He made 79 against New Zealand in the last group stage game to push India to 249 and they eventually won by 44 runs. The 30-year-old also made important contributions with the bat against Australia (45) in the semifinal and New Zealand (48) in the final.
4) Mohammed Shami
Notwithstanding those dropped catches off his own bowling, Shami has been India’s strength in the ICC tournaments. The Indian pacer led the bowling unit in the absence of Bumrah. He picked up nine wickets in the tournament to finish the second-joint highest with teammate Varun Chakravarthy only behind New Zealand pacer Matt Henry.
Shami started the tournament with a crucial spell of 5 for 33 against Bangladesh as India went on to win by six wickets for a bright start. The other notable performance came against Australia in the semifinal with his 3 for 48 involved the big dismissal of Australian skipper Steve Smith on 73.
5) Rohit Sharma
Last but not the least. The Indian skipper added another feather to his cap with the Champions Trophy jewel. The 37-year-old also made a clear statement that he won’t be retiring from the format. He started the tournament with a decent 41 and ended with a match-winning 76. In between, there were a few low scores. Moreover, his impact with the leadership helped India clinch the title after a span of 12 years.
India clinched the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, defeating New Zealand by five wickets in a thrilling final. From veteran batter Virat Kohli to leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy, here are the top contributors for the team’s success in Dubai. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
