Dubai : Chasing 252 for victory, India got off to a blazing start courtesy of their skipper’s first half-century of the tournament. KL Rahul then held his nerve with an unbeaten 34, guiding India home with six balls to spare in the final at Dubai.

This triumph adds to India’s Champions Trophy wins in 2002 and 2013, making them the only team to win the tournament three times—surpassing Australia’s two titles.

As the world’s top-ranked ODI side, India remained unbeaten throughout the eight-nation tournament, which was played across Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.

On a sluggish Dubai pitch that favored spin, India’s bowlers applied pressure to keep New Zealand in check. Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav bagged two wickets each, restricting the Black Caps to 251/7 after they elected to bat first.

Daryl Mitchell’s steady 63 and a late flourish from Michael Bracewell (53* off 40 balls) helped New Zealand post a competitive total, but the absence of lead pacer Matt Henry—ruled out due to a shoulder injury—proved costly. To add to their woes, Kane Williamson, who managed just 11 with the bat, was unable to take the field due to a quad strain.

India’s chase began with Rohit taking on the pace attack, smashing regular boundaries, including a six and two fours in one over off Nathan Smith. The captain reached his fifty in just 41 balls, putting India firmly in control.

New Zealand’s spinners then fought back. Glenn Phillips produced a sensational diving catch at extra cover to dismiss Shubman Gill (31) off Mitchell Santner’s bowling.

Michael Bracewell struck in the very next over, trapping Virat Kohli lbw for just one, shifting the momentum in New Zealand’s favor as runs became hard to come by.

Rohit, after playing out a maiden over from Bracewell, tried to break free but was stumped by Tom Latham off Rachin Ravindra, leaving India at 122/3 after a solid 105-run opening stand.

Shreyas Iyer (48) steadied the chase, surviving a dropped catch by Kyle Jamieson before eventually falling to Santner. India lost Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya in quick succession, but Rahul remained composed, anchoring the innings.

With Ravindra Jadeja at the other end, Rahul guided India to victory, with Jadeja hitting the winning boundary to trigger celebrations in a stadium packed with Indian supporters.

India’s strategic decision to play four spinners in their last three matches proved decisive, reinforcing their dominance on the Dubai surface.

With this triumph, India cemented their legacy as the most successful team in Champions Trophy history, winning the prestigious title without losing a single match.