Rohit Sharma made a combative 76 to back up a potent spin bowling display as India beat New Zealand by four wickets to win a record third Champions Trophy title on Sunday.

Chasing 252 to win, India got off to a fast start through their captain’s first half-century of the tournament before KL Rahul hit an unbeaten 34 to help seal victory with six balls to spare in the final in Dubai.

India added to their trophies in 2002 and 2013 to go past Australia, who have two titles.

The world No 1 ODI team, India finished unbeaten in the eight-nation tournament played in Pakistan and the UAE.

In a battle of spin on a sluggish Dubai pitch, New Zealand’s bowlers put India in trouble at 203-5 with Rohit and Shreyas Iyer, who hit 48, back in the pavilion.

But Rahul kept calm and along with Hardik Pandya (18) and Ravindra Jadeja, who hit the winning boundary, steered the team home to loud cheers from a largely Indian crowd in a sea of blue.

HIGHLIGHTS: Champions Trophy final (India vs NZ)

India played all their matches at the Dubai International Stadium after they refused to tour hosts Pakistan due to political tensions.

India played four spinners in their last three matches, which proved telling in deciding the outcome.

Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav took two wickets each to help restrict New Zealand to 251-7 after the Black Caps elected to bat first.

In reply, Rohit came out firing as he took on the pace bowlers with regular boundaries including a six and two fours in one over off Nathan Smith.

The captain reached his fifty in 41 balls to put the pressure on the opposition.

New Zealand’s spinners attempted to pull things back and a stunning catch from Glenn Phillips secured a key breakthrough.

Phillips went airborne to pluck a flying ball at extra cover to dismiss Shubman Gill for 31 off skipper Mitchell Santner.

Virat Kohli fell in the next over, trapped lbw for one off Michael Bracewell’s off spin and the momentum shifted as runs dried up for India.

Rohit, after a maiden over from Bracewell, jumped out of his crease against Rachin Ravindra only to be stumped by Latham as India slipped from 105-0 to 122-3.

Iyer controlled the chase aided by a dropped catch by Kyle Jamieson but soon fell to Santner.

India lost Axar Patel and Pandya but Rahul stood strong to drag his team over the line.

New Zealand missed their pace spearhead Matt Henry after he was forced out of the final due to a shoulder injury.

Kane Williamson also could not come out to field after his batting effort of 11 due to a quad strain.

Daryl Mitchell hit 63 and Bracewell made a quickfire 53* for New Zealand, but it was not enough against an Indian side with considerable batting depth.

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India reached their target with an over to spare to win the Champions Trophy final in Dubai.

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner says mid-match communications and adaptability regarding the pitch in Sunday’s Champions Trophy final against India will be key to success.

The final in Dubai will decide the winner of the eight-nation tournament played in Pakistan and the UAE.

India have played all their matches in Dubai after they refused to tour hosts Pakistan due to political tensions and come in the title clash unbeaten in four matches.

The pitches have been vastly different in the two countries.

Pakistan tracks produced big totals, in contrast to the slow and turning decks of the Dubai International Stadium.

“I think we have to kind of go in with an open mind of how the pitch will play, and then adjust accordingly,” Santner told reporters.

“Get those communications back to the groups, what you think a good score is. Yeah, I think we obviously, it could be a 300 wicket, we don’t know I guess yet, but it could also be a 250 kind of winning score.

“So, I think there will be periods throughout this game on both sides where you’re under pressure for a period of time. But if you can kind of withstand that and get through, it might get easier.”

The highest total at Dubai in this 50-over tournament was Australia’s 264 in the semi-final and India overhauled the score with 11 balls to spare.

New Zealand went down to India by 44 runs in the last group meeting at the venue where the Black Caps restricted the opposition to 249 before being dismissed for 205.

“We’ll learn from that,” said Santner. “We know India are probably going to go in with the same team. So, I think we have to be ready and be adaptable for what’s coming.”

India have played four spinners in their last two matches on a sluggish pitch that has aided slow bowlers.

India’s Varun Chakravarthy returned figures of 5-42 with his mystery spin – lot of variations – and remains a potent threat in the final.

“He’s obviously a world-class bowler we’ve seen it here and obviously in the IPL and that little bit of mystery,” said left-arm spinner Santner.

“But it was the first time some of the guys have been facing him. I think they’ll learn from the other day. If the pitch plays a similar way, it’s going to be a challenge along with all three of their other spinners.”

The tournament’s tangled schedule, with teams flying in and out of the UAE from Pakistan while India have stayed put, has been hugely controversial.

New Zealand beat South Africa in the semi-final in Lahore and flew back to Dubai.

“I think it was a bit of a shock,” Santner said on the temperature in the two cities. “Jumped up 10 degrees in the last four days for us. But I think, obviously, coming off a semi-final win, the guys are in pretty good spirits.”

Fast bowler Matt Henry is racing against time to recover for the final after he landed awkwardly on his right shoulder while fielding in the semi-final.

“Matt’s going to have a bowl just to see how he is,” said Santner. “Yeah and then I guess we’ll make a call after that.”

MORE: Gill: India have unfinished business

New Zealand will be looking to win the tournament for the second time, having done so in 2000 when they beat India in the final.

New Zealand also beat India in the inaugural World Test Championship final in 2021.

“Hopefully we’re third time lucky,” Santner said. “But no, I think we know India are going to be a challenge tomorrow,” he added.

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Shubman Gill says India will look to win the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand to get over their 2023 ODI World Cup final defeat.

The decider on Sunday in Dubai will decide the winner of the eight-nation tournament played in Pakistan and the UAE.

“I am quite excited,” vice-captain Gill told reporters. “My second ICC event for team India and second final. The last time which we couldn’t do, we will try to do it this time.”

India went down to Australia in the 50-over World Cup final in November 2023 on home soil in Ahmedabad in a heartbreaking defeat for the team, which had come into the title clash unbeaten.

However, Rohit Sharma’s team eased the heartache of fans a few months later when they lifted the 2024 T20 World Cup title – India’s first victory in a major global event since the 2013 Champions Trophy.

Gill, who was not part of the T20 triumph, said the ICC title in Barbados allows the team to go into Sunday’s final without any baggage.

“It’s also about once you get one title that kind of breaks the jinx and then it gives you the momentum and also you are not desperate about getting the title,” said Gill.

“Winning the title in 2024 doesn’t mean that we are less hungry, but it kind of gives us more balance that we have won an ICC title and we will try to do our best to win this one.”

India come into the final unbeaten in four matches after they went past Australia in the semi-final to eye a third Champions Trophy crown.

MORE: Unbeaten India face record-setting New Zealand

India have played all their matches in Dubai after they refused to tour hosts Pakistan due to political tensions.

Gill said the importance of a final does come into the equation when they walk out, but a champion team knows how to handle pressure.

“The big-match pressure is always there,” said Gill. “This is the reason why we talk about big teams of previous years, including the West Indies and Australia. Those teams played their best cricket in knockouts. Easier said than done, but good teams play their best cricket under pressure.”

Virat Kohli has been in top form as he hit an unbeaten 100 against arch-rivals Pakistan in a group game and hit 84 in another successful chase in the semi-final.

Rohit has been slammed for not converting his starts into bigger scores, but his quick cameos have nonetheless allowed the team to build totals.

Gill, who opens with Rohit, said India’s batting depth has allowed the top-order to bat freely.

“I think this is the best batting lineup that I have been part of,” said Gill. “Rohit, Virat, I think all-time one-day greats. Rohit one of the best openers in white-ball and Virat one of the best ODI batsman ever.”

He added: “The depth in our batting makes the work easier for batsmen at the top and you tend to play freely because of the depth.”

While Indian media continue to speculate on Rohit’s retirement, Gill said there has been no talk about it in the dressing room.

“The discussion has been around the final,” said Gill. “I don’t think even Rohit is thinking about it too much.”

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India play New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final in Dubai on Sunday in what could be a last hurrah for veteran stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

The 36-year-old Kohli and 37-year-old captain Rohit came into the 50-over tournament with speculation swirling over when they will retire following lean patches in Test cricket.

Mainstays of a formidable India side for more than 15 years, the duo retired from T20Is after winning the World Cup last year.

This weekend could be the end for them in ODIs, with the next 50-over World Cup not until 2027.

“I am sure Rohit will lead India to a title. He will have another ICC trophy soon,” former seam bowler Praveen Kumar told The Times of India. “I will only say that Virat and Rohit, give us one more ICC trophy before you retire.”

India go into the final at Dubai International Cricket Stadium as favourites and with their confidence sky-high.

They have won all four of their matches at the eight-nation tournament, including beating New Zealand by 44 runs in the group phase, although both teams had already reached the semi-finals by then.

Rohit’s side have played all their games in Dubai after refusing to visit Champions Trophy hosts Pakistan because of political tensions.

Rohit and Kohli came into the competition under pressure.

Master batsman Kohli silenced his critics with an unbeaten 100 against arch-rivals Pakistan, then hit a match-winning 84 against world champions Australia in the semi-finals.

Rohit’s highest score has been 41 in their opening win over Bangladesh but the opener has been lauded for handing the team quick starts to build totals on at a venue where batting is tough.

India, who are looking to win the Champions Trophy for a record third time, also boast a world-class spin attack.

They unleashed four spinners in beating New Zealand with Varun Chakravarthy returning figures of 5-42 to help bowl out the Black Caps for 205 in their chase of 250.

India were unchanged against Australia as the spin-heavy selection came up trumps again, albeit on a Dubai pitch that turned a little less that time around.

In front of them lies a New Zealand team hoping to win the tournament for the second time, having done so in 2000 in what was the second edition of a competition likened to a mini World Cup.

The Black Caps powered into the final by beating South Africa by 50 runs in Lahore.

But the victory came at a price with an injury to pace bowler Matt Henry after he landed on his shoulder awkwardly while taking a catch.

Henry, who took 5-42 against India in the group phase, is in a race to be fit for Sunday.

“Still a little bit unknown at this stage,” head coach Gary Stead said. “He’s obviously pretty sore just from landing on the point of his shoulder. Hopeful he will be OK.”

Batsman Rachin Ravindra hammered 108 in New Zealand’s Champions Trophy record total of 362 against the Proteas at the batting-friendly Gaddafi Stadium.

Ravindra put together 164 runs with veteran batsman Kane Williamson, who hit 102.

The left-handed Ravindra, who also bowls left-arm spin, has amassed 226 from three matches after he returned from a nasty hit to his forehead in a tri-series match in Pakistan.

The Wellington-born Ravindra is of Indian origin with his parents hailing from Bengaluru.

“We don’t quite know how the Dubai pitch is like,” said Ravindra. “I think we pride ourselves in adapting and playing the situation in front of us, so will see what happens in the next couple of days and hope it’s a good cricket wicket.”

ALSO: Five key factors in Champions Trophy final

India might be favourites and will have much of the crowd at the 25,000-capacity Dubai stadium roaring them on, but recent history is actually with New Zealand.

They registered a surprise 3-0 Test whitewash in India in October and November last year.

The Black Caps also hold a clear advantage over India with nine wins, six losses and one no-result at global white-ball tournaments.

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Photo: Alex Davidson/ICC via Getty Images

What could decide the fate of the Champions Trophy final between India and New Zealand in Dubai on Sunday.

Henry’s opening burst

New Zealand pace spearhead Matt Henry leads the bowling charts in the 50-over tournament with 10 wickets – five when the Black Caps faced India earlier in the competition.

Henry took down Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli in the group match in Dubai to reduce India to 30-3, before a middle-order fightback lifted Rohit Sharma’s team to 249-9.

Henry, who combines pace with good seam movement, returned figures of 5-42, albeit in a losing cause.

His opening burst in the final could be vital for New Zealand in gaining the upper hand.

Chakravarthy’s mystery spin

Wrist spinner Varun Chakravarthy was a late addition to the India squad for the tournament and against New Zealand bamboozled the opposition with figures of 5-42.

That was his first match of the tournament and only his second ODI, having made his debut against England in February.

The 33-year-old, a mystery spinner who has many variations up his sleeve, took another two wickets in the semi-final against Australia.

Chakravarthy could be key to India’s chances – if part of the XI – on pitches that have helped the spinners.

Ravindra, Williamson threat

Rising star Rachin Ravindra and old warhorse Kane Williamson come into the final fresh from centuries against South Africa in Lahore.

The left-handed Ravindra and Williamson put together 164 runs in a match-winning stand in the semi-final and have the ability tackle the Indian spinners with aplomb.

MORE: Kane continues incredible run against Proteas

Thirty-four-year-old Williamson hit a valiant 81 in the previous match against India and with 25-year-old Ravindra will once again pose a serious threat to India on an expected sluggish pitch.

Skipper and left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner said Williamson and Ravindra’s batting makes life a “little easier” for the bowlers.

Rohit’s start

India captain Rohit hasn’t hit top gear in the tournament, with his highest score being 41 in the opening win against Bangladesh.

But even his scores of 20-plus in two matches – against Pakistan and Australia – have handed India quick starts for others to build on.

Critics have slammed the opener for not converting those starts into bigger scores.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir says his impact has been crucial and not driven by numbers.

“You evaluate from the runs; we evaluate from the impact. That’s the difference,” Gambhir shot back at a question on Rohit’s form.

The pitch factor

The pitches at Dubai International Cricket Stadium have been a talking point, with India playing all their matches at the same venue after refusing to tour Pakistan for political reasons.

The surface in Dubai has been sluggish and aided spinners with Australia posting the highest total in this tournament of 264, which was overhauled by India with 11 balls to spare.

Tracks in Pakistan have produced tall scores with New Zealand getting a Champions Trophy record 362-6 before restricting South Africa to 312-9 in Lahore.

While India stay at their temporary home for the final, New Zealand’s Ravindra said “we pride ourselves in adapting and playing the situation in front of us”.

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Photo: Alex Davidson/ICC via Getty Images

New Zealand coach Gary Stead is “hopeful” Matt Henry will recover from a shoulder injury in time for their Champions Trophy final against India on Sunday.

The pace bowler is racing to be fit for the title clash in Dubai after injuring his right shoulder while taking a catch in the semi-final win over the Proteas on Wednesday.

Henry has been key to New Zealand’s hopes in the 50-over tournament and returned figures of 5-42 against India in a dead-rubber group match that the Black Caps lost.

“We’ve had some scans and stuff done on him and we’re going to give him every chance to be playing in this match,” Stead said on Friday.

“So still a little bit unknown at this stage. He’s obviously pretty sore just from landing on the point of his shoulder. Hopeful he will be OK.”

Henry took a catch to dismiss Heinrich Klaasen in South Africa’s chase of 363 in Lahore and landed awkwardly. He went off the field but returned to bowl two more overs in his spell of seven.

“I guess the positive thing from our perspective is he got back out there to bowl,” said Stead.

With Trent Boult and Tim Southee retired, New Zealand have depended on their inexperienced pace bowlers to get early breakthroughs.

Apart from Henry, who is a veteran of 91 ODIs, fellow quicks Will O’Rourke and Kyle Jamieson have 29 ODI matches between them.

“We’re possibly one of the most inexperienced groups that are here,” Stead said of his pace attack. “And Will O’Rourke, Kyle Jamieson, for example, they haven’t played a lot of one-day cricket or ICC tournament cricket either.

“So for them to keep standing up on this stage is very good, especially after the loss of a Southee, a Bolt.”

New Zealand’s men won their only white-ball global tournament in 2000 when they beat India to lift the Champions Trophy.

However, the New Zealand women’s team last year won the T20 World Cup in Dubai.

“I think if New Zealand can get up and win this, it’d be a real credit to the players and what they’ve done,” said Stead. “They’re a tight-knit bunch. We enjoy each other’s company and I’m sure it’ll be a real coup for New Zealand, especially here in Dubai after the women won the T20 World Cup here as well.”

New Zealand are particularly wary of India’s spin force that got them bowled out for 205 in their chase of 250 in the two sides’ group match in Dubai.

Varun Chakravarthy played his first match of the tournament as part of a four-pronged spin attack to claim match-winning figures of 5-42.

A mystery spinner who has many variations up his sleeve, Chakravarthy is a serious threat on a pitch that helps slower bowlers and where run-scoring is tough.

“I mean, they are very, very good spinners, all of them in their own right,” said Stead. “So for us it’s just being nice and clear on our plans and working out. So who knows? They might have off days as well, and that could be in our advantage.”

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Photo: Matthew Lewis/ICC via Getty Images

New Zealand’s Kane Williamson has scored seven centuries in his last eight innings against South Africa.

The 34-year-old’s incredible run dates back to 2017, and includes five Test and two ODI hundreds.

His latest knock of 102 helped the Black Caps beat the Proteas in the Champions Trophy semi-final in Lahore on Wednesday.

OPINION: Pathetic Proteas crash and burn again

Kane Williamson vs Proteas

 

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner says a slower pitch in familiar territory for India in Dubai will make for a tight contest in the Champions Trophy final.

The two teams clash on Sunday to decide the winner of the eight-nation tournament held in Pakistan and the UAE.

Rohit Sharma’s India are playing all their games at the Dubai International Stadium after they refused to tour hosts Pakistan because of political tensions.

They beat Australia in the first semi-final.

New Zealand defeated South Africa in the second semi-final in Lahore on Wednesday and now move back to Dubai where they lost the last group match to India by 44 runs.

“I guess finals cricket is different, but for us what we have been doing to get us to this point has been good,” Santner said on his arrival in Dubai.

“But obviously we have come against a good side, who have played all their games in Dubai and know that surface and we will be better for the run we had the other day against them.

“Obviously the surface will dictate a little bit of how we want to operate. Will be slower than what we got in Lahore, might be more of a scrap.”

The tournament’s tangled schedule, with teams flying in and out of the UAE from Pakistan while India have stayed put, has been hugely controversial.

The pitches have been vastly different in the two countries.

Pakistan tracks produced big totals – the Black Caps posted a Champions Trophy record 362-6 before restricting the Proteas to 312-9 in the semi-final in Lahore, in contrast to the slow and turning decks of the Dubai stadium.

But Santner said the team has taken the travel in their stride.

“It’s all part of the challenge. We have been to every place here obviously into Pakistan and Dubai. But I think the guys understand that it’s part of it these days.”

ALSO: Dubai trip not nice for Proteas – Miller

New Zealand won a Tri-Series tournament in Pakistan with South Africa as the third team and had many of their players in top form getting into the 50-over tournament.

Left-hander Rachin Ravindra hit his second century of this tournament in the semi-final clash and put on 164 runs with in-form Kane Williamson, who hit 102.

“Obviously that Tri-Series before – the tournament was handy in guys getting in form, especially into one of these tournaments which are quite short, three games and you’re into the semis,” said Santner. “We have had a bit of a roll on and hopefully it continues.”

The captain added: “We are here now and boys are pretty excited for the challenge ahead. One day off at training but the boys be fizzing and ready for the main event.”

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Photo: Fadel Senna/AFP via Getty Images

New Zealand have turned their attention back to India after making Champions Trophy history to power into Sunday’s final.

The Black Caps posted a Champions Trophy record 362-6 before restricting the Proteas to 312-9 in Wednesday’s semi-final in Lahore.

They now face India in Dubai to decide the winners of the eight-nation 50-over tournament.

Rohit Sharma’s India are playing all their games in Dubai after they refused to tour hosts Pakistan because of political tensions.

India beat New Zealand by 44 runs in the group stage but batting all-rounder Daryl Mitchell said that would have no bearing on Sunday’s result.

“Final is a new day,” Mitchell said after scoring 49 against South Africa. “Really excited to be stuck into that challenge and will adapt to whatever surface and conditions we get on the day, and will find little ways to win moments throughout that game.”

The tournament’s tangled schedule, with teams flying in and out of the UAE from Pakistan while India have stayed put, has been hugely controversial.

The pitches have been vastly different in the two countries.

Pakistan tracks produced big totals, in contrast to the slow and turning decks of Dubai’s international cricket stadium.

“We don’t quite know how the Dubai pitch is like,” said Rachin Ravindra, one of the heroes of New Zealand’s semi-final win with a 101-ball 108.

“We know our game against India it did turn and Aussie vs India [semi-final] didn’t turn so much, so I think we pride ourselves in adapting and playing the situation in front of us.”

India unleashed four spinners against New Zealand in the group phase and Varun Chakravarthy returned figures of 5-42 to bowl the Black Caps out for 205 in their chase of 250.

Rohit’s side were unchanged in their four-wicket win over Australia as the spin-heavy selection came up trumps again, albeit on a pitch that turned a little less this time around.

“They are all pretty good,” Mitchell said of India’s slow bowlers. “But we have got some pretty good spinners ourselves.”

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