In a final that demanded both resilience and tactical acumen, India once again proved why they are the dominant force in modern cricket. New Zealand, the perennial fighters, pushed them to the brink, but India's depth—both in batting and bowling—ultimately secured them their second ICC title in as many tournaments. With this victory, India have now won 22 of their last 23 completed matches in ICC events, a testament to their ruthless efficiency at the highest level.
At the heart of this contest lay a battle of adaptation: a weary Dubai pitch that slowed down as the game progressed, a New Zealand side forced to recalibrate their approach against India's relentless spinners, and an Indian batting lineup that navigated moments of peril with calculated aggression. In the end, while New Zealand played with spirit, India’s superior firepower ensured their unbeaten run remained intact.
The Toss and the Tactical Battle
India's struggles with the toss in ODIs had become almost mythic—15 consecutive losses coming into this final. But when it mattered most, the coin finally landed in their favor. Given the pitch’s history of slowing down under lights, the decision to chase was crucial. New Zealand, though, were undeterred.
Rachin Ravindra, the tournament’s leading run-getter, provided an early display of technical mastery, treating the new ball with disdain. His effortless stroke play stunned the packed stadium, and New Zealand stormed to 69 for 1 in the powerplay. But India, as they have done throughout this tournament, trusted their spinners to change the tempo.
Varun Chakravarthy, the mystery spinner, struck first, deceiving Will Young with drift and natural variation. Then came Kuldeep Yadav, a bowler whose form had flickered throughout the tournament but who reserved his best for the biggest stage. In a single over, he delivered twin strikes that ripped through New Zealand’s core—Ravindra fell to a beautifully disguised wrong’un, and the ever-dependable Kane Williamson succumbed to dip and flight, offering a return catch.
At 75 for 3, New Zealand were reeling, their early momentum undone by India's masterful spin web. Tom Latham and Daryl Mitchell attempted a counterpunch, but Jadeja’s unerring accuracy—10 overs for just 30 runs—stifled any revival. The scoreboard crawled forward, the innings losing steam. It took them 21 overs to double their 10-over score.
Michael Bracewell’s late assault—53 off 40—added a veneer of competitiveness to the total, but it always seemed short of par. His clean striking, reminiscent of Ravindra’s earlier fluency, injected some last-minute drama. Yet, as India returned to pace in the death overs, Mohammed Shami’s subtle variations closed the door on a truly imposing target.
New Zealand finished with a total that was respectable but never daunting. Against a team as resourceful as India, it was always going to need something special.
India’s Chase: A Test of Nerve and Adaptation
If New Zealand needed a miracle, Rohit Sharma ensured they never got a sniff. His powerplay onslaught—64 runs without loss—set the foundation, punishing anything remotely loose. He attacked the fast bowlers with an authority that signaled intent, forcing New Zealand’s spinners into the fray earlier than they would have liked.
The game, however, was far from over. Glenn Phillips, electric in the field throughout the tournament, plucked a stunning one-handed catch to dismiss Shubman Gill. Michael Bracewell then trapped Virat Kohli for a rare failure, and suddenly, the momentum had shifted.
New Zealand sensed an opening. The pitch, by now offering more turn—3.4 degrees compared to the first innings' 2—began aiding their spinners. Rohit, uncharacteristically restrained, seemed set for a long haul but fell attempting an ill-advised charge. At 122 for 3, India had the runs under control but found themselves in a battle against creeping doubt.
Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel stitched together a partnership of necessity rather than fluency, surviving dropped catches and close calls. Iyer’s unconvincing knock saw him escape multiple times—caught at the boundary before Young’s foot touched the rope, then shelled by Jamieson attempting successive sixes. The errors proved costly.
When Iyer finally fell for 39, India needed 67 off 68 balls. The required rate never soared beyond control, but the match remained delicately poised. KL Rahul, unflappable as ever, absorbed the pressure. As New Zealand finally turned back to pace in the death overs, he and Ravindra Jadeja executed the finishing touches with precision. Even the late dismissal of Hardik Pandya, undone by a hostile Jamieson bouncer, did little to alter the inevitable conclusion.
With an over to spare, Rahul and Jadeja completed the formalities, sealing a four-wicket victory. India’s depth, once again, had carried them through.
A Tournament of Domination
This was not just another win—it was a statement. India’s near-unbeatable consistency across the last three ICC events is a reflection of their all-encompassing strength: a batting lineup that extends deep, a spin department that thrives even on unhelpful surfaces, and a fast-bowling unit that understands the nuances of conditions.
For New Zealand, this was another valiant effort that ended in heartbreak. They fought hard, made India sweat, but the sheer quality of their opposition proved insurmountable.
For India, this was a coronation. Two ICC trophies in hand, two finals narrowly missed. A staggering 22 wins out of 23 in major tournaments. If there were any doubts before, they have now been put to rest—this is a team built for dominance.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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