India clinched the 2025 Champions Trophy by defeating New Zealand by four wickets in a thrilling final at Dubai International Stadium. India’s spin quartet excelled, with Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy wreaking havoc on New Zealand’s top order, while Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel controlled the run flow. Rohit Sharma’s aggressive batting set a solid foundation, complemented by Shreyas Iyer’s consistent performances throughout the tournament. Iyer was the second-highest run-scorer, contributing crucial innings under pressure. KL Rahul also delivered key performances, ensuring stability in tense moments, ultimately guiding India to victory with an unbeaten 34 runs in the final.
India triumphed over New Zealand in a closely contested final of the 2025 Champions Trophy, securing a thrilling victory by four wickets at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday night. The spotlight shone on the spin quartet, with wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy inflicting significant damage on the New Zealand top order, while Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel stifled the run rate during the middle overs. Captain Rohit Sharma set the tone with his aggressive approach in the powerplay, and Shreyas Iyer along with KL Rahul maintained composure in crucial moments during the run chase.
Here are some key statistics that highlighted India’s successful journey at the 2025 Champions Trophy.
India – the top batting and bowling side
India achieved a collective batting average of 41.72 in the tournament. Although Australia and South Africa had slightly better averages, India faced all its matches on the bowler-friendly Dubai pitch. In contrast, Australia only played one game in Dubai, while South Africa enjoyed favorable conditions across all their encounters in Pakistan. For context, New Zealand, who had two matches in Dubai, recorded a batting average of 25.23 at the venue with a corresponding strike rate of 74.73. Lahore boasted the highest batting average in the competition at 40.69, whereas Dubai languished at the bottom with an average of 30.77.
Despite the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, India presented the most effective bowling lineup in the tournament, leading with the best bowling average of 27.32 and an economy rate of 4.8. The Indian spin quartet distinguished itself with a combined average of 28.38, the finest in the tournament, while the pace attack also performed admirably, topping the charts with a bowling average of 25.7.
India – the most formidable spin bowling unit
India’s new spin quartet made the most of the favorable conditions in Dubai, collectively taking 26 wickets, the most for any spin attack in the tournament.
They recorded the best averages (28.38), strike rates (37.7), and economies (4.51) in the tournament. Varun Chakravarthy was the standout performer among the Indian spinners with nine wickets at an average of 15.1, maintaining an impressive economy of 4.5. Six of his nine dismissals were from the top six opposition batters, including critical wickets during the powerplay, where he conceded just 33 runs off 30 deliveries across the tournament.
Kuldeep Yadav emerged as the highest impact bowler in the final, significantly shifting the match’s momentum with his double strike of Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson in consecutive overs. He ended the tournament with seven wickets, while Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel consistently delivered tight bowling with a combined economy of 4.35.
Interestingly, it was New Zealand that claimed the title of second-best spin bowling unit in the tournament, recording the second-best bowling average of 30.45 and a strike rate of 37.9. Mitchell Santner excelled in the middle overs with nine wickets at an average of 26.7 and an economy of 4.8. Off-spinner Michael Bracewell surprised many by taking eight wickets at 25.12 each, boasting an astonishing 174 dot balls, the most for any bowler in the tournament!
Rohit’s aggressive strategy
Rohit Sharma led by example with his aggressive powerplay strategy, which has yielded substantial rewards for India since their early exit in the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE. The Indian captain has since prioritized maximizing scoring opportunities in the first 10 overs, focusing on runs rather than conserving wickets.
Rohit’s innings of 76 off 83 balls provided essential momentum in the run chase during the final before the New Zealand spinners tightened their grip in the middle overs. Across the tournament’s powerplay, he scored 153 runs off just 137 balls at a rate of 111.7, significantly relieving the pressure on India’s middle-order. Since 2023, his scoring rate in the powerplay has been 122.56, ranking as the second-highest in this phase of play (with a minimum of 200 runs), trailing only Travis Head.
Shreyas’ exceptional consistency
Shreyas Iyer stood out as India’s batter of the tournament. He may not have posted massive scores but consistently contributed critical runs in almost every match, often under high pressure. Iyer was the tournament’s second-highest run-scorer, amassing 243 runs in five innings, including two half-centuries.
A defining 114-run partnership with Virat Kohli against Pakistan weathered the storm from 22/2, later worsening to 30/3, and he top-scored against New Zealand with a vital 45 runs in the semi-final versus Australia, culminating in a key 48 during a crucial phase against New Zealand in the final. Iyer displayed remarkable consistency, rising to the occasion whenever his team needed him. Since rejoining the Indian squad for the ODI series against England, he has accumulated 424 runs in eight matches, boasting a strike rate of 93.6, featuring four fifties and two high-impact forties.
KL Rahul – Mr. Cool
KL Rahul delivered three impactful performances under pressure throughout the tournament, exhibiting great composure and temperament. He came in to bat at a challenging 144/4 against Bangladesh and forged a match-winning, unbeaten partnership of 87 with Shubman Gill.
Rahul then calmed nerves with an unbeaten and classy 42 off just 34 balls in the semi-final against Australia. In a tense final, he arrived at the crease with India at 183 for 4, maintaining his poise to score an unscathed 34 off 33 balls, steering India to a memorable four-wicket victory with an over to spare.
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