Photo: Collected
India beat New Zealand in a tense encounter by four wickets to claim the Champions Trophy title for the third time at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. Rohit Sharma (76) and Shubman Gill (31) shared a punishing opening stand worth 105-runs with the India skipper putting on a rapid 41-ball fifty, to help India post 254-6, replying to New Zealand's 251-7.
A superb leaping catch from Glenn Phillips at short cover dismissed Gill and four balls later Michael Bracewell (2-28) had Virat Kohli (1) trapped lbw to silence the rampant crowd, but with India needing two runs from seven balls, Ravindra Jadeja (9no) hit a boundary to seal the deal, reports Sky Sports.
Earlier, New Zealand elected to bat with Rachin Ravindra (37) and Will Young (15) sharing a blistering 57-run stand but India's spinners ran riot removing both openers and Kane Williamson (11) in six overs.
Kuldeep Yadav (2-40) and Varun Chakravarthy (2-45) were the pick of the bowlers with two apiece, but it was Mohammed Shami (1-74) who dismissed New Zealand's top run-scorer Daryl Mitchell (63) - who hit slowest fifty of both his ODI career and the tournament.
Despite India's consistent wickets, Bracewell's 53 not out at the death was essential in helping New Zealand post a competitive score on a good batting track, but in the end it was not enough.
Messenger/JRTarek
