India Secures Champions Trophy Title with Victory Over New Zealand

India emerged victorious over New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final, clinching their third title with a score of 254-6. Rohit Sharma led the team with 76 runs, supported by Lokesh Rahul’s 34. India boasts an impressive record in recent ICC events, with 23 wins from 24 matches. Their matches were held in Dubai due to security concerns regarding hosting in Pakistan.

On Sunday, India secured victory over New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final, marking triumph in another global cricket tournament. The team’s chase was spearheaded by Rohit Sharma, who scored 76 runs off 83 balls, while Lokesh Rahul contributed an unbeaten 34, leading India to a total of 254-6 in just 49 overs. This win represents India’s third Champions Trophy title.

Rohit Sharma initiated a strong start for India’s innings with seven fours and three sixes. Additionally, Hardik Pandya played a significant role, scoring 18 runs and partnering with Rahul for a vital 38 runs from 36 balls for the sixth wicket. This match exemplified India’s dominance, achieving 23 wins out of 24 in the last three ICC events, with their only defeat being against Australia in the 2023 World Cup final.

India has previously seen success in this tournament, notably winning in 2013 and finishing as runners-up against Pakistan in 2017, while also sharing the trophy with Sri Lanka in 2002 after a rain-affected final. New Zealand, on the other hand, claimed the Champions Trophy back in 2000, which remains their sole limited-overs ICC trophy.

All matches played by India during the tournament occurred in Dubai, following the Indian government’s security-based decision to refrain from sending the team to Pakistan, the tournament’s official host. The victory adds to India’s illustrious cricket history, continuing their strong performance on the global stage.

In conclusion, India’s triumphant win at the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand underscores their dominant performance in international cricket, achieving remarkable success across three significant ICC events. Rohit Sharma’s leadership and the team’s commendable batting performance were pivotal in securing their third Champions Trophy title, illustrating a continued legacy of excellence in the sport.

Original Source: m.economictimes.com