India pulled off one of the greatest chases to beat New Zealand by four wickets in the Champions Trophy final on Sunday in Dubai. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma produced a trademark innings with a breathtaking 76-run knock off 83 to lay the foundation for India’s excellent victory. Amid a vast sea of blue, India stunned the kiwis to claim the fighting victory with six balls to spare. The chase, which saw intense drama and fluctuating fortunes, was a true test of India's determination, as they chased down a challenging target of 252 with six balls to spare, clinching the prestigious title. New Zealand’s determined bowling attack posed serious challenges to India’s chase, with key wickets falling at critical moments. However, the Indian batters showed remarkable composure and grit to seal the victory.
Set 252 for victory, India’s chase began on a positive note as openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill provided a solid start for the chase. Rohit Sharma, in particular, was in fine form, blasting a brisk 76 runs. His knock was crucial in setting the tone for India’s pursuit of the target. Alongside him, Gill played a steady role, contributing 31 runs before he was dismissed by Glenn Phillips, who took a one-handed screamer to remove Gill.
However, the momentum shifted when India lost in-form Virat Kohli for a mere 1 run. The loss of masterclass batsman put India in a precarious position, and the pressure mounted on the middle order to steady the ship. This is where Shreyas Iyer (48) and Axar Patel (29) stepped up, steering his side through trouble and rebuild the chase. Both rotated the strike and found the occasional boundary to keep the scoreboard ticking.
After their departure, KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya brought calmness to the Indian camp as they shifted gears and applied the pressure back on New Zealand. Pandya belted 18 before being dismissed. But, in the end, it was Rahul's composure that guided India across the line. Rahul remained unbeaten on (34).
Earlier, New Zealand, after winning the toss and deciding to bat, scored 251 with the help of Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell, cracking (63) and (53*) respectively. Their highly skilled batters Kane Williamson, Will Young and Tom Latham failed to perform, losing their wickets for low scores. Indian spinners once again were impressive in their bowling attack, limiting New Zealand to 251-7.