India claimed their third Champions Trophy title with a four-wicket victory over New Zealand, led by Rohit Sharma’s impressive 76 runs. Shoaib Akhtar praised India’s deserving win, marking a remarkable period for the team in ICC events. This victory further emphasizes India’s dominance in international cricket, all matches being held in Dubai due to security concerns with Pakistan.
India triumphed once more by winning the Champions Trophy, securing a four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the final, held on Sunday. The team, led by Rohit Sharma, pursued a target of 255 runs, finishing with a score of 254 for 6 in 49 overs. Rohit contributed significantly with 76 runs off 83 balls, while Lokesh Rahul’s unbeaten 34 runs helped seal the victory, marking India’s third Champions Trophy title.
Shoaib Akhtar, former cricketer from Pakistan, expressed admiration for India, stating they deserved the win. India has now achieved 23 victories in their last 24 matches across the last three men’s ICC events, with their only loss occurring against Australia in the Cricket World Cup final in 2023. In the previous year, India won the T20 World Cup against South Africa, showcasing their recent dominance in international cricket.
The Champions Trophy win was particularly significant since India last secured this title in 2013. Their journey, successful in the current edition, also included a shared title with Sri Lanka in 2002, after a rain-affected final. Conversely, New Zealand’s only ICC limited-overs trophy remains the Champions Trophy, which they won in 2000 against India in Nairobi, Kenya.
All of India’s matches during this tournament took place in Dubai, as the Indian government denied permission for the team to travel to Pakistan, the original host, due to security concerns. This victory further emphasizes India’s cricketing prowess on a global platform, highlighting their remarkable achievements in recent years.
The article details India’s impressive win at the Champions Trophy, denoting their dominance in recent cricket tournaments. Rohit Sharma’s leadership and significant contributions led the team to victory against New Zealand, while Shoaib Akhtar acknowledged India’s deserved triumph. India’s successes in the ICC events underline their strength in the sport, with their matches being hosted in Dubai owing to security concerns about traveling to Pakistan, the initial host country.
Original Source: m.economictimes.com