India clinched their third Champions Trophy title with a thrilling victory over New Zealand, as spinner Varun Chakravarthy and batter Shreyas Iyer played pivotal roles in the final in Dubai.
Dubai [UAE], March 10: Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy never imagined his Champions Trophy 2025 campaign would turn out to be a fairytale. As India celebrated a historic victory over New Zealand in the final, emotions ran high at the Dubai International Stadium.
“I didn’t expect it to turn out like this. It’s a dream come true,” Chakravarthy admitted after India’s thrilling four-wicket win against the Blackcaps.
A Final to Remember: India’s Road to Glory
The winning runs came off Ravindra Jadeja’s bat, and the left-hander didn’t even turn to look at the ball racing to the fence. Virat Kohli let out a roar, embracing assistant coach Abhishek Nayar and head coach Gautam Gambhir, who flashed a rare beaming smile.
While Jadeja’s celebration stood out, Chakravarthy played a crucial role in India’s success. Drafted into the squad as a late addition, the spinner ended the tournament as the joint second-highest wicket-taker with nine scalps in just three matches. His tight and disciplined bowling in the final helped stifle New Zealand’s batters and set the stage for India’s win.
“The pitch wasn’t offering much spin, so I had to be disciplined and stick to the basics,” he added.
Shreyas Iyer: The Unsung Hero
If Chakravarthy controlled the game with the ball, Shreyas Iyer anchored India’s chase with a steady 48 off 62 balls. India lost Rohit Sharma (76) and Virat Kohli (35) in quick succession, but Shreyas held his nerve, ensuring the scoreboard kept ticking.
“It’s ineffable, hard to put into words. My first ICC trophy—it’s an incredible feeling,” Shreyas said.
“I love playing under pressure, and I feel like I thrive in these moments.”
The middle-order batter finished as India’s highest run-scorer in the tournament with 243 runs at an average of 48.60.
India’s Third Champions Trophy Title
With a well-executed chase of 252 runs, India lifted their third Champions Trophy title, adding to their triumphs in 2002 (shared with Sri Lanka) and 2013. This victory cements India’s dominance in white-ball cricket, with Rohit Sharma leading from the front despite losing every toss in the tournament.
Tags: India vs New Zealand, Champions Trophy 2025, Varun Chakravarthy, Shreyas Iyer, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, ICC Final, Cricket Records, Team India