India vs New Zealand Champions Trophy 2025: The Indian team has finally avenged their 25-year-old defeat in the Champions Trophy, thanks to a stunning victory over New Zealand by 44 runs. It all started when New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and chose to bowl first. The Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma, put up a formidable target of 250 runs, which the Kiwi team failed to chase, getting bowled out for just 205 runs. This win not only marked a significant triumph for India but also brought closure to a two-and-a-half-decade-long wait for revenge against New Zealand in the Champions Trophy.
Revisiting the 2000 Final
The last time these two teams met in the Champions Trophy was back in 2000, in a final match that New Zealand won by four wickets. The Indian team, captained by Sourav Ganguly, had set a target of 264 runs, with Ganguly himself scoring an impressive 117 runs. However, Chris Cairns from New Zealand stole the show with a century of his own, securing the title for his team. Since then, there hadn’t been a match between India and New Zealand in the Champions Trophy until now.
This recent encounter saw the Rohit-led team dominate New Zealand in all three departments – bowling, batting, and fielding. The victory not only marked a sweet revenge for the 2000 defeat but also highlighted the prowess of the current Indian team. Shreyas Iyer and Varun Chakraborty were the standout heroes of the match, playing pivotal roles in India’s win.
Shreyas Iyer and Varun Chakraborty: The Heroes of the Match
When India batted first, they found themselves in a precarious position, having lost three wickets for just 30 runs. It was then that Shreyas Iyer took charge, batting with patience and responsibility to score 79 runs in 98 balls. His innings were crucial in taking Team India to a respectable score. On the other hand, Varun Chakraborty delivered an exceptional bowling performance, claiming five wickets and leaving the New Zealand batsmen bewildered. His outstanding display earned him the Player of the Match Award, a well-deserved recognition of his contribution to India’s victory.