India beat New Zealand by four wickets to win third Champions Trophy title

Excitement mounts as India need another seven from 12 balls. Still advantage India.

Another twist in the tale. Jamieson bounced Pandya out to bring New Zealand back. This is the crucial pair for India, another wicket will end their dreams.

Hardik Pandya wasn’t satisfied with his bat, insisting on a specific one—so much so that Arshdeep Singh had to come out twice to deliver it. Off the very first ball with his chosen willow, Pandya showed why it mattered, launching a massive straight six off Ravindra. With that towering hit, India move even closer to the target, now needing just 21 off 24 balls.

The contest is entering a crucial phase. The main spinners have finished their overs and the pacers will be coming in for their final spells. Time to score runs.

Michael Bracewell’s stellar day continues as he claims his second wicket, dismissing Axar Patel. The off-spinner, who earlier anchored New Zealand’s innings with a crucial 53, has been equally effective with the ball, finishing his 10-over spell with an outstanding 2-28. India are 203/5 after 42 overs, needing 49 runs from 48 balls.

For the second time in the innings, India have lost a wicket immediately after a drinks break. This time, Shreyas Iyer, visibly frustrated at being unable to play freely, attempted to break the shackles against Santner but only managed a top-edged pull. Rachin Ravindra dived forward at short square-leg to take a sharp catch, giving New Zealand a crucial breakthrough. Jamieson must be breathing a sigh of relief after his earlier drop. India are 190 for four after 39 overs, needing 62 off 66 balls.

How do you shake off frustration? By hitting a six. Shreyas Iyer, frustrated after having to defend a sharply turning delivery from Phillips, released the pressure with a towering hit. Looking to repeat the act, he mistimed his next attempt—only for Jamieson to spill a straightforward catch at long-on. The drop instantly brings back memories of Herschelle Gibbs letting Steve Waugh off the hook in the World Cup. Could this be the moment that defines the final?

At the 35-over mark, India have reached a run-a-ball equation, with Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel putting together a 39-run stand off 53 balls. Their immediate target will be another 30 runs without losing a wicket, which should set up an easier finish. India are 161 for three.

Shreyas Iyer (31) and Axar Patel (10) have absorbed the pressure, stabilizing India’s innings. Their left-right combination is making it tough for the bowlers to settle into a consistent line, allowing the batters to rotate the strike with ease. The introduction of Glenn Phillips has further helped India maintain the flow of runs. After 33 overs, India are 154/3, needing another 98 from 102 balls.

New Zealand have stormed back into the game with their outstanding fielding efforts. They are cutting off easy runs, making strike rotation a challenge as they prowl the 30-yard circle like wolves. After 30 overs, India are 136/3, nearly mirroring New Zealand’s 135/4 at the same stage.

India are feeling the heat after a tight two-over spell yielded just one run. In an attempt to break the shackles, Rohit Sharma stepped out for a big shot but was caught well short of his crease. The wild swing proved costly, and the skipper will be ruing his mistake. He also missed out on a well-deserved century, falling 24 runs short.

Santner’s rallying call during the drinks break seems to have fired up the Black Caps. Two quick wickets have slowed India’s charge, but with skipper Rohit Sharma still at the crease, there’s no reason for alarm. At the halfway mark, India are 122 for 2 , needing 130 more in 150 balls.

A superb effort was needed to break the Indian partnership, and ‘Superman’ Glenn Phillips delivered with a stunning catch to end Shubman Gill’s stay. That was the breakthrough New Zealand had been waiting for, and in the very next over, Bracewell dismissed Virat Kohli for just 1. India are 106 for two after 19.1 overs.

India have passed the 100-run mark, with skipper Rohit Sharma on course for his 33rd ODI century. The Indian captain is guiding the chase smoothly, expertly rotating the strike and capitalizing on opportunities. After 18 overs, India are 103/0, with Rohit on 69 and Gill on 29. India need another 149 runs from 192 balls.

India are firmly on course for victory, with New Zealand's spinners—Santner and Ravindra—knowing that only wickets can halt their progress. However, Gill (23), who has also found his touch, and Rohit Sharma (65) are making the most of every opportunity. After 15 overs, India are 94/0, while New Zealand were 83 for 3 at the same stage.

Rohit Sharma brings up his 58th half-century with an aggressive knock that couldn’t have come at a better time, reaching the milestone off just 41 balls. The Indian skipper has made a significant impact in the run chase, taking India to 65 for no loss in 10.1 overs. New Zealand missed a golden opportunity to make early inroads when Mitchell dropped Gill on 6.

There’s little to separate the two teams at this stage. India are 59 for no loss after 8 overs, while New Zealand were 58 for one at the same point. Keeping wickets intact will be key for India as they build their chase.

Rohit Sharma’s attacking approach has the crowd on its feet. The Indian skipper is keeping the bowlers guessing, stepping out to force them into a shorter length on a pitch that rewards fuller deliveries. After six overs, India are 39 for no loss, with Rohit on 28 and Shubman Gill on 6.

Skipper Rohit Sharma has given India a rapid start, racing to 22 for no loss in just two overs. The 37-year-old is batting with intent and confidence, setting the tone for the Men in Blue’s chase.

Injury woes mount for New Zealand. Kane Williamson is not fielding after picking up a quad strain and Mark Chapman has taken his place as India begin their chase. New Zealand are without Matt Henry, who had a shoulder injury, and was replaced by Nathan Smith before the start of the match.

Michael Bracewell’s late flourish gave New Zealand a defendable, albeit under-par, total after India’s spinners exposed their batting frailties in the Champions Trophy final at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. The left-hander remained unbeaten on 53 off 40 balls, guiding the Black Caps to 251 for seven in 50 overs. The majority of Indian fans in the stadium were treated to a high-class display of spin bowling, as India's quartet pulled New Zealand back after a blazing start in the first 10 overs. Openers Will Young and Rachin Ravindra put on 57 runs in 7.5 overs before mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy struck in his second over.

New Zealand’s slide began there, with Kuldeep Yadav delivering a double blow by removing century-makers Ravindra and Kane Williamson from the previous match. Their dismissals forced Daryl Mitchell, who played a patient knock of 63 to complete his eighth 50, and Tom Latham into a shell. Glenn Phillips injected some momentum into New Zealand’s innings with a brief but lively cameo, while Bracewell showed composure to bring up his half-century on a pitch offering good bounce and slow turn. India could have chased a lesser target had they taken all of those four dropped catches. Chakravarthy finished with two for 45, including the wicket of Phillips. India will be eyeing a brisk start to avoid any hiccups in the chase, but New Zealand’s hopes hinge on one crucial wicket—that of Chase Master Virat Kohli.

Mitchell finally cut loose, smashing 10 runs in three balls, but Shami had the last laugh with a clever slower delivery, breaking the 46-run sixth-wicket stand. His dismissal for 63 further dents New Zealand’s hopes of reaching 250. After 46 overs, the Black Caps are 212 for six.

New Zealand innings has not got the momentum they would have wanted, especially towards the end. Mitchell completes his eighth half-century, but at a strike rate of 54.63. Michael Bracewell’s positive approach has taken the Black Caps past the 200-run mark. After 45 overs, New Zealand are 201 for five, need at least another 50 runs in the last five overs.

Varun Chakravarthy breaks the partnership, dismissing Phillips for 34. The New Zealander, with no footwork, attempted an expansive drive but was deceived by a googly and bowled. India can breathe a little easier after removing the danger man. After 38 overs, New Zealand are 165 for five.

India have been dominant with bat and ball, but their fielding continues to falter. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill put down tough chances to dismiss Mitchell and Phillips in quick succession. These are the catches that win matches — India will hope they don’t prove costly. After 36 overs, New Zealand are 156 for four.

Phillips is the first New Zealand batter to show real resolve after Ravindra. The right-hander, a ticking time bomb capable of turning the match in an instant, has finally broken his team’s 82-ball boundary drought, smashing their second six off Kuldeep. After 30 overs, New Zealand are 135 for four, Mitchell (32 off 59) and Phillips (17 off 25).

Glenn Phillips is New Zealand’s last hope after digging themselves in a hole against a sustained Indian spin attack. The Kiwis are 114 for four at the halfway mark, scoring 45 runs in 15 overs - without a boundary for 70 deliveries.

India are in total control of the final, which is becoming a one-sided contest. The pitch has more bounce than in the past, a key factor that saved Latham from getting LBW early against Jadeja. But the left-hander didn’t make the most of the reprieve and played a sweep only to lose his wicket to an arm-ball. After 24 overs, New Zealand are 110 for four.

New Zealand have lost their way between overs 10 and 20, scoring just one boundary in the last 40 deliveries. After a good start in the powerplay, the Black Caps are trying to consolidate, more to protect the wickets, in the last 10 overs. Mitchell and Latham are not taking any chances with five fielders inside the circle. After 20, Kiwis are 101 for three, run-rate dropping to 5.05 from 6.9.

With both century-makers from the semi-finals back in the hut within the first hour, New Zealand find themselves in unfamiliar territory. After a solid start, the twin wickets of Ravindra and Williamson have stalled their momentum, with the scoring rate dropping alarmingly. The middle overs are crucial in ODIs, and India have seized control early. New Zealand will need to push past 280 to stay competitive.

If Varun Chakravarthy had New Zealand in a spin last time, it's now Kuldeep Yadav’s turn to trap the Kiwis. The left-arm wrist-spinner removes Williamson, caught and bowled, adding to New Zealand’s troubles. After 13 overs, New Zealand are 77 for three, having scored just 8 runs while losing two key wickets in three overs.

Kuldeep Yadav dashed New Zealand hopes when he dismissed the well-set Ravindra, who couldn’t capitlalise on two dropped chances. The powerplay is done and New Zealand are 69 for two. Now the spinners will tighten things down.

The drama is unfolding. Shami dropped Ravindra on 28 and the left-hander was given out the next ball he faced off Chakravarthy. The decision was reversed after review. The next ball, Shreyas Iyer dropped a chance at deep midwicket after covering the ground. Finally, the mystery spinner broke the partnership when he dismissed Young LBW. After 8 overs, NZ are 58 for one.

New Zealand openers have managed to upset India’s plans. 27 runs have come in two overs, a start that is required for the Black Caps to set a big total. After five overs, Kiwis are 37 for no loss.

Ravindra, the highest scorer in this Champions Trophy, has shown the required urgency by opening up in the fourth over, scoring 16 runs. The left-hander made the most of Pandya’s wayward bowling. NZ are 26 for no loss with Young 9 on and Ravindra 16.

After the national anthems and team photograph, both India and New Zealand will eye for a picture-perfect start. Indian pacers Mohammed Shami and Hardik Pandya are hitting the right lengths to keep openers quiet. After two overs, Black Caps are 6 for no loss

India Squad: Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Rishabh Pant

New Zealand Squad: Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham(w), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner(c), Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, William ORourke, Nathan Smith, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy.

Who is Nathan Smith, who replaced Henry. The 26-year-old bowling all-rounder has played seven ODIs. The right-arm pacer has taken seven wickets with the best of two for 43 against Sri Lanka in Wellington in January.

New Zealand have made one change. Nathan Smith replacing the injured Matt Henry while India have remained unchanged for the third straight match, putting faith in the four-pronged spin attack.

New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner wins toss and elects to bat first on a good pitch. This is Rohit Sharma’s 12th successive loss in toss and 15th for India in ODIs.

New Zealand ace pacer Matt Henry is not taking catches and preparing for the final. The pacer has been under injury cloud seems to have not recovered from the shoulder injury and standing and watching his teammates pepare for the final.

Only a few minutes away from the toss. The pitch looks hard and fresh and hence the team winning the toss will have no hesitation to opt to bat first in the high-pressure game. It is the same centre-wicket that was used for the India-Pakistan match.

The fans are waiting with bated breath for the start as India and New Zeland players are gearing up for the showdown. The Blue outweighs the Black among the fans, which should give India the crowd support and New Zealand the motivation to spoil their party.