GUWAHATI: Indian spinners delivered a stellar performance, restricting New Zealand to 251 for 7 in 50 overs during the Champions Trophy 2025 final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
ALSO READ: Hindu Temple In California Defaced With Anti-India Graffiti
Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy were the standout performers with the ball, both claiming two wickets each. Kuldeep returned figures of 2 for 40, while Chakravarthy took 2 for 45. Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami also contributed, picking one wicket each.
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and opted to bat first. The Blackcaps found themselves in early trouble but managed to recover due to crucial contributions from Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell. Mitchell scored a valuable 63, while Bracewell added a fighting 53 to push New Zealand to a competitive total. Their partnership proved vital in ensuring the side crossed the 250-run mark despite India's spinners keeping things tight throughout the innings.
India’s strategy heavily relied on their spin attack, with spinners bowling a remarkable 38 overs in the match — one of the highest by the Indian side in ODI cricket. This closely followed their record of 41.2 overs of spin bowled against West Indies in Indore in 2011. Other notable instances include 39 overs against Kenya in Gwalior in 1998 and 37.3 overs in another Champions Trophy encounter against New Zealand in Dubai.
