March 9, 2025: In the much-anticipated Champions Trophy final, Indian bowlers put up an impressive performance to restrict New Zealand to just 251 runs at the Dubai International Stadium. The Indian attack displayed discipline and precision, keeping the Kiwis under control throughout their innings.
New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first, but they struggled to build partnerships. The top order found it difficult to counter India’s varied attack, with key wickets falling at regular intervals. Despite a steady start, New Zealand’s batters failed to convert their starts into big scores.
The Indian bowlers, led by Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav, took charge and picked up crucial wickets, with Kuldeep contributing with his deceptive spin. The Kiwis’ middle order never managed to settle, and the lower order was unable to accelerate in the final overs. At the end of the 50 overs, New Zealand finished with a total of 251 runs.
The Indian bowlers’ collective effort, including contributions from Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya, and Mohammed Shami, was a key factor in restricting the Kiwis to a modest total. This performance has given India a strong chance to chase down the target and claim the Champions Trophy title, with the batsmen now needing to capitalize on the solid foundation laid by the bowlers.