India, despite losing their 15th consecutive toss in ODIs, controlled the game and restricted New Zealand to 251 in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final. While New Zealand’s innings had energetic starts and finishes with cameos, Indian spinners largely kept them in check.
Daryl Mitchell patiently scored 63 off 101 balls, resisting India’s spin attack. The four spinners not only shifted the momentum after New Zealand’s quick powerplay start but also dictated the innings on a slow pitch by maintaining tight lines. Rachin Ravindra began aggressively for New Zealand, displaying his tournament-leading form with impressive shots against pace bowlers. Hardik Pandya conceded 16 runs in an over, and Mohammed Shami was also hit for elegant shots, prompting Rohit Sharma to introduce spin earlier than in previous matches.
Varun Chakaravarthy’s first over began with four byes off a googly but then created a chance when Ravindra top-edged a slog-sweep. However, Shreyas Iyer dropped the catch running from deep midwicket. Ravindra had already survived a tough return catch dropped by Shami earlier. Nevertheless, Chakaravarthy broke the 58-run opening partnership in the same over, trapping Will Young LBW. After 10 overs, Ravindra looked dangerous, scoring 37 of the 69 runs New Zealand had accumulated.
Kuldeep Yadav then changed the game with his very first delivery, dismissing Ravindra with a wrong’un. He further tilted the game towards India by deceiving Kane Williamson in the air and taking an easy return catch in his next over. At 75/3, New Zealand slowed down, avoiding a collapse. Tom Latham and Daryl Mitchell adopted a cautious approach, and boundaries became scarce against the spinners. Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel maintained pressure in the middle overs, allowing no loose deliveries despite minimal turn. India’s spinners bowled more overs in this final than in any other tournament game, consistently bowling within the stump lines 37% of the time, increasing the risk for New Zealand’s batsmen.
Their 33-run partnership off 66 balls included only one boundary before Latham was dismissed LBW by Jadeja while attempting a sweep. Mitchell, sticking to his plan, formed another slow 57-run partnership with Glenn Phillips for the fifth wicket. Both batsmen were dropped once each, in an uncharacteristically poor fielding display by India. However, Phillips couldn’t capitalize, getting bowled by a Chakaravarthy googly for 34.
Mitchell reached a hard-earned fifty and accelerated alongside Michael Bracewell. Their 45-run stand took New Zealand past 200, but just as they aimed for a strong finish, Mitchell spooned a catch to cover off Shami. Bracewell continued the momentum with clever batting against pacers in the death overs. He reached his fifty in the final over and helped New Zealand surpass 250, with 35 runs coming in the last three overs bowled by pace.
Brief Scores: New Zealand 251/7 (Daryl Mitchell 63, Michael Bracewell 53*; Varun Chakaravarthy 2-45, Kuldeep Yadav 2-40) vs India
