India defeated New Zealand by four wickets in the final in Dubai, securing its second ICC title in nine months. The Men in Blue remained unbeaten, overcoming Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand in the group stage before knocking out Australia in the semis and edging past the Kiwis again for the trophy.
Most Champions Trophy Titles:
India – 3 (2002, 2013, 2025)
Australia – 2 (2006, 2009)
6 Key Players Who Powered India’s Triumph
Rohit Sharma – The Aggressor
Runs: 180 in 5 innings
Strike rate: 100 (only three batters had more runs at a higher rate)
PowerPlay impact: 41-ball 50 in the final, setting up a 104-run stand with Shubman Gill
Signature pull shot: 44 runs off just 15 balls
Rohit: “It’s not natural to me, but I wanted to try something different. The team backed me, and it paid off.”
Virat Kohli – The Chase Master
Total runs: 218
Key knocks: Century vs Pakistan (group stage), 84 off 98 vs Australia (semis)
Singles machine: 60 off 65 in the middle overs vs Australia (48 via running)
ODI milestone: Fastest to 14,000 ODI runs (287 innings, surpassing Tendulkar)
All-time Champions Trophy record: Second-highest run-scorer, behind Chris Gayle
Shreyas Iyer – India’s Rock in the Middle
Leading run-scorer for India: 243 runs in 5 innings
Best knock: 79 off 98 vs New Zealand (rescued India from a collapse)
Spin mastery: Faced 233 balls of spin (most by any batter)
False shot percentage: 6.8% (only bettered by Shubman Gill and Joe Root)
Strike rate: 72+ despite a high dot-ball rate (53%)
K.L. Rahul – The Finisher
Total runs: 140 in 5 innings (three not outs)
At No. 6 before Champions Trophy: 54 runs at an average of 18
Key finishing knocks:
42* off 34 vs Australia (semis)
34* off 33 vs New Zealand (final)
Rahul: “Whatever the team requires, you have to accept it and find a way to perform.”
Varun Chakaravarthy – The Surprise Package
Wickets: 9 in 3 matches (second highest overall)
Best figures: 5/42 vs New Zealand (only the second spinner to take 5+ wickets in Dubai)
Bowling variations:
Leg-spin: 111 balls
Googly: 60 balls (5 wickets at 3.70 economy)
Slider, quicker and carrom balls: Used just 9 times
Took one wicket with the slider, and three with his stock delivery (leg-spin).
Kuldeep Yadav – The Spin Choke
Googly impact: 66 deliveries: 4 wickets, economy 2.81
Dot ball rate in middle overs: 52.7% (only behind Santner and Bracewell)
Induced highest false shot percentage: 16.3% (next-best Indian spinner: Jadeja – 10.7%)
Key final moment: Dismissing Rachin Ravindra (on 37) with a deceptive googly