(From Dhananjaya Senaratne in Dubai)
Imposing conditions on the ICC, India made use of them to the hilt and won the Champions Trophy for the third time. In the final match held in Dubai on Sunday, India defeated New Zealand by 4 wickets to win the coveted trophy.
India had made a condition to the International Cricket Council that if they’re to participate in the Champions Trophy tournament, it would be in Dubai and not in Pakistan. On such conditions, India played all their matches in Dubai and won all five encounters, including the final against New Zealand.
However, Indians have been heavily criticized by renowned cricket commentators around the world. The world’s top cricket commentators and analyzers say that India had an unmeasurable advantage in the Champions Trophy tournament, by playing all their matches in one single venue.
Chasing a target of 252 runs, the Asian giants reached the target with 6 balls to spare. Skipper Rohit Sharma (76), Shreyas Iyer (48) and Lokesh Rahul (34 not out) scored the bulk of runs.
Electing to bat first, New Zealand scored 251 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in the allotted 50 overs. Daryl Mitchell (63) and Michael Bracewell (53 not out) both scored half-centuries, but New Zealand’s top-order batsmen Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson and Glenn Phillips could not do much.
Pacer Matthew Henry did not play today due to a shoulder injury. Henry’s absence also had a significant impact on New Zealand’s decision to bat first after winning the toss.
India, fielding an unchanged XI after the semi-final win over Australia, had four spinners in their bowling options. The four of them bowled 38 out of 50 overs. New Zealand batsmen were restricted to 144 runs by the four spinners, with Ravindra Jadeja (1/30) and Axar Patel (0/29) both restricting New Zealand batters for 59 runs in their 18 overs.
On a slow pitch that assisted spinners, Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav took two wickets each.
As Tom Latham was dismissed in the 24th over of the innings, the scoreboard read 108 for 4. However, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips and Michael Bracewell batted bravely and took the team beyond 250 in the last 25 overs.
Man of the match in the semi-final, Rachin Ravindra, got off to a flying start. Rachin hit pacer Mohammed Shami for a six and two fours in one over. Even the lady luck was with Rachin as he was dropped twice, before left-arm chinaman bowler, Kuldeep Yadav ended Rachin’s innings in his first ball.
The Indians were on their toes and applauded loudly as Kuldeep Yadav dismissed Kane Williamson. Williamson was one of the batsmen to score a century in the semi-final against South Africa. However, New Zealand were given a bit of a reprieve by a late strike from Michael Bracewell. Bracewell hit two sixes and three fours in his 40-ball 53.
The Indians had won the Champions Trophy in 2002 and 2013. This is their third time they won the Champions Trophy.
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