India vs New Zealand biggest moments: Champions Trophy 2025 final highlights; wickets, drop-catches and more

The Champions Trophy 2025 final between India and New Zealand was packed with thrilling moments, game-changing wickets, and dramatic twists. Rohit Sharma’s explosive 76 off 83 balls set the tone for India’s chase of 252, but New Zealand fought back with quick wickets, including the dismissals of Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and Rohit in quick succession. The match saw stunning catches and costly drops, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. KL Rahul’s composed 34 off 33 balls* and Ravindra Jadeja’s winning boundary sealed a historic four-wicket win for India, securing their third Champions Trophy title and extending their unbeaten run in ICC tournaments.

Here are the biggest moments of the match.

New Zealand win toss

New Zealand won the toss, and Mitchell Santner chose to bat first. He confirmed Matt Henry’s absence due to a shoulder injury, with Nathan Smith replacing him. India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, was unfazed by the toss result and said he was comfortable chasing. He also confirmed that India remained unchanged from their semifinal win over Australia.

16 off Hardik’s over

Rachin Ravindra settled into his rhythm, driving the next ball through point for four. After a wide bouncer from Hardik Pandya, he pulled the extra delivery for another boundary. New Zealand scored 16 runs in the over.

Shami drops catch

Mohammed Shami missed a sharp catch off his own bowling after Rachin Ravindra misjudged a drive. The ball flicked off Shami’s fingertips and went for a single. His hands obstructed his view. A brief delay followed as Shami called for the physio to check his left hand.

Rachin Ravindra survives

India thought they had a breakthrough when Rachin Ravindra lost balance while attempting a sweep and was caught down the leg side. The umpire gave him out, but Ravindra immediately reviewed. Third umpire Joel Wilson found no contact with the ball, overturning the decision. The delivery was also ruled a wide.

Shreyas Iyer drops catch

Rachin Ravindra got another lifeline. He attempted a slog-sweep, but the ball took a top edge and went high towards deep mid-wicket. Shreyas Iyer ran along the boundary but misjudged the catch and failed to hold on.

Varun Chakravarthy strikes

Varun Chakravarthy took the wicket of Will Young with a well-drifted leg-spinner. The umpire raised his finger for an LBW. After a brief discussion with Rachin Ravindra, Young chose not to review.

Rachin Ravindra gets out

Kuldeep Yadav struck on his first ball, dismissing Rachin Ravindra right after the powerplay. Ravindra misread Kuldeep’s wrong one, played back, and the ball hit his pad before crashing into the stumps.

Kuldeep Yadav strikes again

Kuldeep Yadav dismissed Kane Williamson, delivering a crucial breakthrough for India. Williamson, attempting a flick, chipped an easy catch back to the bowler as he played the shot too early.

India lose review

India thought they had a fourth wicket as Ravindra Jadeja beat Latham’s inside edge. Given not out, the Men in Blue reviewed even though KL Rahul suggested it was high. Yes, the ball was bouncing over. KL Rahul predicted correctly, and India lost a review.

Jadeja strikes

Tom Latham missed a sweep shot, and the ball hit him plumb in front. Jadeja’s delivery, on target, trapped him LBW. New Zealand reviewed it and lost it.

Daryl Mitchell gets dropped

Daryl Mitchell survived as Rohit Sharma couldn’t hold a tough one-handed catch off Axar Patel’s short ball. Instead, the batters took two runs, missing a crucial wicket opportunity.

Shubman Gill drops catch

Shubman Gill dropped a tough catch at deep square as he dived left for Glenn Phillips’ pull shot. He got both hands on it, but the ball slipped out on impact.

Glenn Phillips goes

Glenn Phillips misjudged Varun Chakravarthy’s full, straight delivery, playing off the back foot. The ball skidded through to hit the stumps, breaking New Zealand’s rebuilding effort.

Daryl Mitchell’s gone!

Daryl Mitchell was frustrated, slamming his bat on his pads after chipping a slower ball from Shami to cover. Having faced 101 balls, his soft dismissal was a big blow for New Zealand.

Indian spinners deliver

Indian spinners Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel controlled the game well, taking 5 wickets combined. Chakravarthy and Yadav bagged two each while Jadeja maintained an economy of 3.00 while claiming one wicket.

Kohli strikes

Virat Kohli’s brilliant throw ran out Mitchell Santner, who managed 8 off 10 balls. Hardik Pandya bowled the delivery, leading to a crucial dismissal in the 48.6th over.

NZ set target at 252

New Zealand scored 251/7 in 50 overs in the ICC Champions Trophy final. Michael Bracewell remained unbeaten on 53 off 40 balls while Nathan Smith was on 0 off 1 delivery.

Chakaravarthy's disciplined spell chokes NZ’s middle order

Varun Chakaravarthy delivered a disciplined bowling performance, finishing with figures of 2/45 in his 10 overs, as he kept New Zealand’s middle order in check on a surface that offered little assistance to spinners. Speaking during the mid-game interview, Chakaravarthy acknowledged the challenge of bowling on a wicket that did not provide much turn. "It was a good wicket compared to the last wicket. It was not turning much. All I could do was stick it into the stump line and wait for the batter to make some mistake," he said.

Rohit Sharma off to a blazing start

Rohit Sharma wastes no time, getting off the mark with a crisp boundary off Jamieson. Then, executes a beautiful flick shot off O’Rourke, sending the ball well wide of mid-wicket. The Hitman follows up with another well-placed shot, setting the tone early. The skipper then charges down the track to O’Rourke’s back-of-a-length delivery and smashes a towering 92-meter six over long-on.

Rohit Sharma smashes rapid 50 

Rohit Sharma scores his first fifty of the tournament in the all-important final. Reaches the milestone in just 41 balls, setting the tone for India’s chase. The skipper brings up his half-century with a calm shot to sweeper cover off Santner. He has already hit 5 fours and 3 sixes in his explosive innings.

Glenn Phillips’ brilliant reflex catch dismisses Shubman Gill

India suffered a setback in their chase as Shubman Gill departed for 31 runs, courtesy of a breathtaking catch by Glenn Phillips. The moment of brilliance came just after the drinks break when Mitchell Santner delivered a full-length ball. Gill attempted to loft the delivery over silly mid-off, but Phillips reacted in a flash, stretching out his hand to snatch the ball out of thin air. What seemed like a certain boundary was turned into a wicket by Phillips’ incredible reflexes and sharp fielding skills.

Virat Kohli falls for 1 as Bracewell traps him LBW

Virat Kohli falls early in the final, scoring just 1 off 2 balls, as Michael Bracewell traps him LBW with a drifting delivery. The drinks break appears to have benefited New Zealand, shifting momentum in their favor. Kohli opted for a review, but UltraEdge showed a flat line, and ball-tracking confirmed three reds, sealing his dismissal. A major blow for India as their star batter fails to make an impact in the high-stakes final.

India’s strong start derailed as NZ spinners strike

Chasing 252 for a third Champions Trophy title, India began well with a 105-run opening stand. Captain Rohit Sharma (76 off 83) and Shubman Gill (31 off 50) provided a solid foundation. But, NZ spinners turned the game around, taking 3 key wickets in 17 runs. In a major setback for Inda, Gill, Kohli, and Rohit fell in quick succession, stalling India’s momentum.

Rohit Sharma falls to Rachin Ravindra’s clever spin

India captain Rohit Sharma departs, shifting momentum. The skipper attempted to step down the track and go for a six but misjudged the turn. Rachin Ravindra’s in smart bowling hit the surface and turned it away from Rohit. Tom Latham makes no mistake behind the stumps. The wicket helps the Kiwis claw their way back into the game.

Twist in the tale! Axar Patel departs for 29 as NZ claws back

Axar Patel departs for 29, leaving India at 203/5 in 42 overs chasing 251. New Zealand continues to chip away with wickets, keeping the match alive. Axar stepped down the track and attempted a lofted drive over long-off. The ball skewed off his bat, resulting in a simple catch for O’Rourke. Michael Bracewell's floated delivery on off stump deceives Axar, leading to a soft dismissal. With five wickets down, India faces a tense finish in the final.

Jadeja, Rahul, and Hardik shine in title-winning chase

Ravindra Jadeja hits the winning runs with a four to secure the trophy. India wins their first Champions Trophy in 11 years. After winning the T20 World Cup last year, India repeats the feat at the Champions Trophy. India defeated Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand in the group stage, Australia in the semis, and New Zealand again in the final. KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya ensured stability as India clinched the title.