Sharma leads his army’s march to emerge as champions of the Champions Trophy for the third time

By K.R. Nayar  

Dubai. India emerged as the champions of the Champions Trophy, riding on skipper Rohit Sharma’s sparkling 76 under the Ring of Fire floodlights at the Dubai International Stadium in front of a packed Sunday crowd. India’s formidable batting depth was on full display, with crucial contributions from Shubman Gill (31), Shreyas Iyer (48), Axar Patel (29). In the end K. L. Rahul (34n.o) and Hardik Pandya’s (18) and their 38-run partnership was also instrumental in India’s win. India clinched victory by four wickets with six balls to spare, lifting the Champions Trophy for the third time and pocketing the prize money of USD 2,240,000.

This edition of the Champions Trophy was the richest ever, boasting a total prize pool of USD 6,871,768—a 53% increase from the 2017 edition.

 

New Zealand's innings up and downs

 

The day began with Rohit Sharma equaling the world record for the longest streak of lost tosses in men’s ODIs, a record held by West Indies skipper Brian Lara between 1998 and 1999. On a sporting wicket where the ball turned but wasn’t excessively challenging, New Zealand, opting to bat first, managed to post 251/7 in 50 overs. Their total was largely built on Daryl Mitchell’s 63 and Michael Bracewell’s unbeaten 53, aided by four dropped catches.

 

India’s spinners kept the Kiwi batting in check, with Varun Chakaravarthy (2/40) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/45) pocketing economical figures from their 10 overs. Ravindra Jadeja was particularly effective, conceding just 30 runs in his 10 overs.

 

The joy of the two champion players 

Everything began to happen from the seventh over. Mohammed Shami dropped Rachin Ravindra (on 29) off his own bowling when New Zealand were at 47 for no loss. Ravindra got another life on 31, with Shreyas Iyer spilling a catch at deep mid-wicket when the total was 54. The first breakthrough finally came at 57, with Varun Chakaravarthy trapping Will Young leg before for 15.

 

Shreyas Iyer ... another invaluable knock 

Kuldeep Yadav struck with the first ball of the 11th over, clean bowling Ravindra (37) as the ball sneaked through the gap between bat and pad. The Indian fans then erupted in joy when, in the 13th over, Yadav removed the dangerous Kane Williamson for 11, caught and bowled.

 

New Zealand reached 100 runs in 19.2 overs. Shortly after, Jadeja dismissed Tom Latham (14) LBW, breaking a 33-run stand with Mitchell. Rohit Sharma then dropped Mitchell on 38 at 151/4, followed by another reprieve for Glenn Phillips (28) when Shubman Gill dropped a tough chance at deep mid-wicket at 156 for 4.

 

Axar Patel... crucial knock 

The next wicket fell at 165, as Chakaravarthy clean bowled Phillips (34), once again breaching the bat-pad gap. At the 40-over mark, New Zealand were 172/5. Mitchell reached his half-century in 91 balls, the slowest of his career.

 

Mitchell and Bracewell added 46 runs before Shami dismissed Mitchell (63), caught by Rohit at extra cover. Santner and Bracewell contributed another 28 runs, before Santner (8) was run out by a sharp Kohli throw from deep mid-wicket. Bracewell remained unbeaten on 53 off 40 balls, striking three boundaries and two sixes.

 

New Zealand plundered 79 runs in the last 10 overs, the most India conceded in the final phase in this edition of the tournament.

 

Tale of India’s chase

 

Chasing a target at 5.04 runs per over, Sharma started in style, smashing Kyle Jamieson’s second ball for a six over square leg. He followed it up with another towering six off Nathan Smith. Shubman Gill, playing a supporting role, survived an early scare when Mitchell dropped him at mid-wicket on 6.

 

The 50-run partnership came up in just 7.2 overs, with Sharma launching Smith for another six over long-off. Sharma raced to his half-century in 41 balls, with the partnership reaching 65 runs.

Ravindra Jadeja after hitting  the winning run,

Gill, having played second fiddle, hit Rachin Ravindra for a six over long-on, helping India cross 100 in 17 overs. However, at 105, he perished for 31, taken by a flying Glenn Phillips at short extra cover off Bracewell’s bowling. Virat Kohli (1) fell soon after, trapped LBW by Bracewell, silencing the Indian fans.

 

Shreyas Iyer joined Sharma, taking India to 122 for 2 at the halfway mark. However, Ravindra struck again, stumping Sharma (76 off 83, 7 fours, 3 sixes). With 130 runs needed from 24 overs, Iyer and Axar Patel played sensibly, focusing on singles and twos rather than risky shots. A six from Iyer off Phillips in the 37th over provided some relief to the Indian camp. In a dramatic moment, Jamieson dropped Iyer (44) at long-on, bringing up their 50-run partnership.

 

K L Rahul - finishing touches. Photos by BCCI 

However, Iyer later fell for 48, lofting Santner to Ravindra at short leg, leaving India needing 69 from 68 balls. Patel alleviated the pressure with a six off the last ball of the over, but when 49 runs were required, he played a reckless lofted shot to O’Rourke at long-off off Bracewell, departing for 29.

 

With tension mounting, Rahul and Hardik Pandya held their nerves. Pandya smashed a six off Ravindra’s first ball in the 45th over, pushing India closer to victory. Though Pandya (18) was dismissed, caught and bowled by Jamieson, Jadeja sealed the win with a boundary, remaining unbeaten on 9.

 

India triumphed with six balls to spare, securing their third Champions Trophy title in a thrilling finale.