India won the ICC Champions Trophy for the first time after beating New Zealand at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Captain Rohit Shama and his team received the trophy from ICC President Jay Shah in Dubai, dressed in their traditional white blazers—honors kept only for champions.
It was the ninth edition and India won by four wickets. In 2013, India last clinched the Champions Trophy title, while its maiden win came in 2002 when it shared the victory with Sri Lanka.
Apart from India, Australia is the only other nation to have won the ICC tournament more than once. The Aussies won the title consecutively in 2006 and 2009, making them the only team to have won this championship in consecutive editions.
Indian captain Rohit Shama led the chase with 76 off 83 balls and KL Rahula’s unbeaten 34 runs helped India finally pass the finish line on 254-6 in 4 overs.
Shama provided a fiery beginning to India’s innings by hitting seven fours and three sixes. Pandya scored 18 and put on a crucial 38 runs off 36 balls for the sixth wicket with Rauhl. Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy shined with the ball after taking two wickets each as New Zealand squandered a strong beginning to post 251.
After this remarkable performance, Rohit Shama finally ended all speculations regarding his retirement from One-day International in the post-match news conference.
Throughout the ICC championship, India went unbeaten after winning against Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand in the group phase and then Australia in the semifinal.
This victory was India’s 23rd in 24 games in the last three men’s ICC events stretching back to 2023—India lost only one game against Australia in the 2023 Cricket World Cup final.
