Almost a quarter century after Chris Cairns and Chris Harris broke Indian hearts in Nairobi in the final of the ICC Knockout – the Champions Trophy’s previous incarnation – Rohit Sharma and his team earned a measure of revenge for their childhood heroes. In a dramatic final at the Dubai International Stadium, Rohit led from the front with a belligerent 76 as India overhauled a tricky target of 252 with six balls to spare.
India’s spin quartet had done a fabulous job to keep New Zealand in check, but a late blast from Michael Bracewell (53 off 40 balls) took his team beyond 250. In response, India were cruising at 105/0 in the 19th over, but New Zealand applied their own spin squeeze to reduce them to 122/3. But Shreyas Iyer’s 48 and a composed unbeaten 34 from KL Rahul ensured that India added the Champions Trophy to the T20 World Cup crown they won in the USA and the Caribbean last June.
True to their combative spirit, New Zealand fought to the bitter end, with Bracewell following up his batting heroics with a magnificent spell of 2/28. But the new-ball duo of Kyle Jamieson and Will O’Rourke went for 80 in 12 overs, with Jamieson’s dismissal of Hardik Pandya coming far too late.
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New Zealand got off to a storming start, with Rachin Ravindra – the Player of the Tournament – striking four fours and a six in a 29-ball 37. But the introduction of spin changed the complexion of the game, with Varun Chakravarthy trapping Will Young in front. But the real kick in the teeth came from Kuldeep Yadav, whose first ball castled the dangerous Ravindra. When Kane Williamson was deceived into a caught-and-bowled in Kuldeep’s next over, the game had turned on its head.
Daryl Mitchell, who had blazed a six-filled century against India in the 2023 World Cup semi-final, plodded through 101 balls for his 63, and Glenn Phillips was also kept relatively quiet in his 34 (52 balls). Bracewell’s cashing in on an off-colour Mohammed Shami gave New Zealand a chance, but the early wickets they needed never came.
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With the injured Matt Henry sitting out, Rohit new let the young pacers settle. Shubman Gill was happy to play second fiddle as Rohit straight drove and pulled with immense power. He reached his half-century in just 40 balls, and though New Zealand’s spin trio then struck, with Virat Kohli dismissed for just 1, the start ensured that India were never in run-rate trouble.
Each time the pressure threatened to build, Shreyas or Axar Patel or Pandya would play the big shot, while Rahul did what he had done at No. 6 all tournament. Ravindra Jadeja, Player of the Tournament when India won this trophy in 2013, finished things off, as India once again affirmed that they are very much the cream of the white-ball crop.
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