Fifteen long years. That’s how long we waited. Since that magical night in 2007  and the heartbreaks in 2014, 2016, and 2022,  we’ve laughed, cried, hoped, and hurt. But one thing always remained throughout this journey: that we believe. And on June 29, 2025, that belief became true joy. India are once again T20 World Champions, but there is something different about it this time.

Rohit Sharma, a man who’s carried the weight of a billion dreams for over a decade, walked out for one last dance. Virat Kohli, the heartbeat of Indian cricket, had one more tale to tell. And in every match, this team did not just play it fought for something bigger: for legacy, for redemption, for every Indian who has stood behind them.

This was more than a single player. It had been Bumrah throwing fire with ice in his veins. It was Axar becoming an unlikely hero. It was Surya all sunshine and Hardik all heart. It was one team, purposeful, loving, and proud.

STAR SPORTS SPECIAL EDIT FOR INDIA's T20I WC VICTORY 🥹🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/tUtw764VJJ

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 29, 2025

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The Night Dreams Came True
June 29, 2025. A date that is now etched in our hearts. India and South Africa took on each other in the final amid the buzzing stands of Kensington Oval. Bat first, pressure on, wickets tumbling, but then quiet Kohli, fiery Axar, and 176 on the board to defend. Not perfect. But enough, if we fought hard.

And oh, did we fight. Bumrah delivered spells that made time stop. Hardik turned the tide. Arshdeep and Kuldeep squeezed the life out of the chase. Final over. 16 needed. The air was stiff with nerves. And then  a dot, a wicket, another dot... and silence turned into the loudest roar. South Africa fell short. India rose. And so did the tears.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed the prize money distribution for the 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, ahead of the final between Australia and South Africa, scheduled for June 11, 2025, at Lord’s.  Announced on May 15, 2025, the announcement has brought out the financial benefits for the leading teams of the highly esteemed Test championship, with the winner being promised a substantial INR 30.78 crore and the runners-up INR 18.46 crore. This is a significant hike from the last cycle, measuring the ICC's enthusiasm for encouraging Test cricket.

Australia, who finished at the top of the WTC points table with a percentage of 62.50 following a 3-1 series victory against India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and South Africa, who secured their place with a percentage of 55.56 after a 2-0 series victory against Sri Lanka, will contest for the top award. The other teams in the WTC table have also been awarded prize money according to their ranks. India, who finished third, will be handed INR 12.31 crore, and New Zealand, fourth, will get INR 10.26 crore. England, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, West Indies, and Pakistan will get INR 8.2 crore, INR 7.18 crore, INR 6.15 crore, INR 5.13 crore, and INR 4.10 crore, respectively, for their performances in the cycle.

The WTC cycle for 2025, which started in 2023, has experienced fierce competition in 69 matches where teams have been competing to reach the final. The distribution of prize money not only honors the best but also provides financial assistance to all teams that participate, fostering the development of Test cricket around the world. ICC Chairman Jay Shah pointed out, "The WTC is a pillar of Test cricket, and this prize fund reflects our commitment to the format."

Financial Incentive for Test Cricket

The huge prize money for the WTC 2025 final is a testament to the ICC's attempts to keep the longest format alive, which tends to battle for attention in the T20-dominated age. The winner's share of INR 30.78 crore is a strong motivation, making the WTC among the richest team sport championships, while the runner-up's INR 18.46 crore guarantees both finalists are heavily rewarded.

Also Read: IPL 2025: Gujarat Titans rope in Sri Lanka star as replacement for Jos Buttler

For sides such as India and New Zealand, who just fell short of the final, the incentive money of INR 12.31 crore and INR 10.26 crore, respectively, gives a financial advantage to their cricket boards. Even lower-ranked nations such as Pakistan, with INR 4.10 crore, are better off, so that Test cricket is a profitable option in all cricketing nations as the sport changes.

The much-awaited India vs New Zealand final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to take place on March 9, 2025, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Cricket fans worldwide are eagerly waiting to witness this thrilling clash as both teams battle for the prestigious trophy. Here’s everything you need to know about the match details, live streaming options, and TV broadcast information.

Match Details

• Teams: India vs. New Zealand
• Date: March 9, 2025
• Time: 2:30 PM IST
• Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium

Live Streaming & TV Broadcast Details

Fans worldwide can watch the final through various TV channels and online streaming platforms. Here’s a complete list of where you can catch the live-action:

ALSO SEE: Champions Trophy Final: Unexpected Source Reveals How New Zealand Plans to Tackle India

India vs New Zealand: Predicted Playing XI

India:

• Rohit Sharma (c)
• Shubman Gill
• Virat Kohli
• Shreyas Iyer
• KL Rahul (wk)
• Hardik Pandya
• Ravindra Jadeja
• Kuldeep Yadav
• Jasprit Bumrah
• Mohammed Shami
• Mohammed Siraj

New Zealand:

• Will Young
• Rachin Ravindra
• Kane Williamson
• Daryl Mitchell
• Tom Latham (wk)
• Glenn Phillips
• Michael Bracewell
• Mitchell Santner (c)
• Matt Henry
• Kyle Jamieson
• Will O’Rourke

Match Preview & Expectations

India enters the final with an unbeaten streak in the tournament, showcasing dominance with both bat and ball. Players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah have been in top form, giving India a strong chance to secure their third ICC Champions Trophy title.

New Zealand, known for their fighting spirit, will be looking to clinch their first-ever ICC white-ball trophy. Skipper Kane Williamson and all-rounders like Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell will be crucial for the Kiwis' success.

With a fast pitch in Dubai favoring both pacers and batsmen, fans can expect a high-intensity final with fireworks from both sides.

With each team playing at their optimum level, the ICC Champions Trophy final will be thrilling. India will be looking to win back the trophy after their past triumph in 2013, while New Zealand will be aiming to clinch their second ICC trophy. Cricket fans worldwide are already looking forward to finding out who wins on March 9.

Match Details:

India’s Playing XI:

ALSO SEE: Cricket's Fab Four: The End of an Era?"

New Zealand’s Playing XI:

Key Players to Watch:

Match Preview and Key Battles:

The battle between India's solid batting order and New Zealand's ruthless bowling outfit will be the turning point in the final. Some key battles to look out for are:

• Virat Kohli and Matt Henry: How Kohli counterattacks New Zealand's seam bowlers will play a big part.
• Hardik Pandya and Glenn Phillips: These two all-rounders will likely take crucial roles through the middle overs.
• Mohammed Shami and Kane Williamson: Shami’s pace and swing against Williamson’s steady batting could define the game.
  

India marched into the ICC Champions Trophy final, thanks to a masterful innings by Virat Kohli, who guided the team with a composed 84-run knock in their chase of 265 against Australia on Tuesday. After a shaky start at 43/2, Kohli’s partnership with Shreyas Iyer (45) steadied the innings and paved the way for a comfortable victory.

Kohli’s Match-Winning Performance

Kohli played a calculated innings, looking for strike rotation and partnerships more than big shots. He was short of a century, caught at long-on while trying to hit a six, but his effort was important in making India's chase smooth.

In the post-match press conference, Kohli was pleased with his strategy: "I think my timing and composure at the crease were key. I wasn't desperate; I was happy knocking ones around. When you take pride in hitting those singles into the gaps, you know you're playing well. That's what helped me settle the nerves and move towards the target."

Virat Kohli said - "Milestones all of that don't matter to me anymore. It's just about stepping out and hopefully doing the job for my team and winning matches for my team. That's most important to me". pic.twitter.com/1znhpeHi04

— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) March 4, 2025

Playing According to Conditions

Kohli underlined the need to adjust according to conditions, much like he had done in the last match against Pakistan.

"It was just like the Pakistan game. I had scored only 7 boundaries on the way to 100. It's a matter of understanding the conditions and playing according to that. Rotating the strike is important, particularly on this wicket, and my try was to string enough partnerships together," he elucidated.

ALSO SEE:  Watch: Semi-final hero Virat Kohli excitedly celebrating victory with team

Eye on Team's Success Over Individual Milestones

When quizzed about missing a century, Kohli brushed it aside, highlighting team success over individual success.

"Whether I score a hundred or not, the most important thing is that the team wins. If we go back to a happy dressing room, that's all that matters. I have never played for milestones; I take pride in finishing games for my team," he said.

Key to Chasing Successfully

Kohli also revealed some tactics of his while pursuing a target, emphasizing partnerships and remaining calm under pressure.

In big matches like semis and finals, the most important thing is managing pressure. When you have wickets in hand, the pressure begins to mount on the other team. As long as we have six or seven wickets remaining, even requiring six runs an over is not a big issue. Two settled batsmen can turn the match," he further said.

With this victory, India now looks ahead to the final, expecting another brilliant show by Kohli and the team as they pursue ICC honors.

Varun Chakravarthy and India crooned a redemption song on Sunday in Dubai, driving out the specters of the T20 World Cup 2021 by employing spin to tear New Zealand apart in their Group A encounter of the Champions Trophy 2025.

It was a battle between different styles, but India's four-spinner battalion overpowered New Zealand's pace-dominated style on a slow-wicket strip at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

India scored 249 runs in total, of which 124 came against New Zealand's spinners during 25 overs for losing only two wickets. They then defended the par score, courtesy of an awe-inspiring vice-like grip by their spinners. Prompted into the Champions Trophy team at the eleventh hour and given a spot in the XI for India's third Group A match, Varun Chakravarthy played a masterclass of spin bowling. The BlackCaps had no response to his magic, as he grabbed his first five-wicket haul in one-day internationals, rising to the occasion for India at the right time.

TAKE A BOW, VARUN CHAKRAVARTHY. 🙇

He's playing first Match in this Champions Trophy and he picked 5 wicket haul, his bowling figure (42/5) against New Zealand - What a Bowler. pic.twitter.com/eTK02eL5yk

— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) March 2, 2025

ALSO SEE: Kane Williamson sets new ODI record for New Zealand against India

Varun Chakravarthy, who was an architect by profession before venturing into the cricketing arena, was wicketless in three matches played during the 2021 T20 World Cup, after which he was inactive for three years. But ever since he joined the senior national team in 2024, there has been no looking back for him.

Having picked up 31 wickets in 12 games in his second phase of T20I cricket, starting in 2024, Varun was added to India's Champions Trophy team. His head coach Gautam Gambhir, who had seen him perform firsthand at Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024, was instrumental in his surprise call-up for the big tournament -- one that was a masterstroke on the grand stage.

Varun was given his ODI debut in a series against England in February but sat on the bench for India's Group A encounters against Bangladesh and Pakistan in the Champions Trophy.

India secured their place in the Champions Trophy 2025 semi-finals after New Zealand defeated Bangladesh by 5 wickets in Rawalpindi on Monday in a comprehensive win. Rachin Ravindra made a stunning century after a scintillating bowling display from Michael Bracewell to help New Zealand overpower Bangladesh. The victory also saw New Zealand secure their place in the knockout stages of the tournament as the second team from Group A. But it also left Bangladesh and Pakistan out of the tournament since the two teams already have two defeats apiece. India will host New Zealand in their last group stage game and Bangladesh will face Pakistan but both matches will serve no purpose aside from determining who will lead the group to the semifinals.

INDIA WILL PLAY THE FIRST SEMI-FINAL ON MARCH 4 AT DUBAI...!!!! 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/8PrEh4ZHvR

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 24, 2025

ALSO SEE: Pakistan’s Champions Trophy Nightmare: First Team Eliminated After 29-Year Wait

March 2nd - IND vs NZ.

March 4th - IND vs AUS/SA/AFG/ENG.

MISSION CHAMPIONS TROPHY IS ON 🙇 pic.twitter.com/Ctxze6u7O3

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 24, 2025

New Zealand defeated Bangladesh by five wickets in a Group A Champions Trophy game here on Monday, a triumph that placed the Kiwis and India in the Champions Trophy semifinals. The victory ensured Bangladesh and the two-time defending champions Pakistan, having lost both of their two games till date, were eliminated from the tournament.

India and New Zealand both have four points apiece from two victories till now in Group A. The top two teams of each group advance to the semifinals.

The India vs Pakistan cricket match is one of the most exciting games for fans worldwide. The two teams have a strong rivalry, making every match thrilling and highly anticipated. Here are the details on how to watch the match live.

• Match: IND VS PAK
• Date: February 23th, 2025
• Time:  2:30 PM IST
• Toss:2:00
• Venue: Dubai

How to Watch the Match Live for Free

Free Online Streaming Options

Key Players to Watch

• India: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Gill
• Pakistan: Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan

ALSO READ:IND vs PAK Champions trophy Live Streaming: Where & How to Watch the Match Online & on TV

India probably playing xi:

Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammad Shami

Pakistan probable playing Xi

Imam Ul Haq, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Salmam Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khusdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

More Than Just an Opening Pair

Dhawan has often spoken about distance being a factor that assisted his relationship with Rohit, in the sense that he respects the space. He once said:

I and Rohit gel perfectly. There is very little new to learn for us as we have been playing enough games to have a fair idea about each others game borders on what is necessary communication to be specific. Off the field, he has a good laugh in him and I love to spend time with him.

ROHIT 🤝 DHAWAN...!!!!

- Shikhar Dhawan talking about his bond with Indian Captain Rohit Sharma 🤍 pic.twitter.com/WAtVJsIXqd

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 23, 2025

ALSOREAD:-IND vs PAK Champions trophy Live Streaming: Where & How to Watch the Match Online & on TV

With Dhawan’s aggressive head and Rohit’s calm and gentle bat, this duo has also significantly contributed to India’s successes in one-day and twenty-twenty cricket. Their bond is built on faith, a sense of rhythm, and love for the game

There have been numerous game-changing moments in the history of One Day International (ODI) cricket but tactical revolution has changed the cricket for ever. There are tons of game-changing moments that have happened in One Day International cricket (ODI) but some of them were really tactical masterstrokes that changed the history. Whether it was a clever strategy, or a gutsy call or a world beater these moments not only changed the course of matches but how we play cricket in general. ODI history lives forever: here are a few master minds tactics that changed the world.

Sri Lanka’s Real Powerplay (1996 World Cup)

If Sri Lanka 1996 World Cup win wasn’t a win for them as a Nation, probably most they won, Is it anything in ODI cricket. With the revolutionary leadership of Arjuna Ranatunga and the tactical mind over matter coach Dav Whatmore, Sri Lanka started out by introducing a pure battle in their form during 1st 15 overs.

• What it says: In the first powerplay overs, Openers Sanath Jayasuriya & Romesh Kaluwitharana took on the world in EVERY Ball.

• Consequences: In an era of ODI strategy, this plan was too effective and helped built the foundation for big hitting in opening 10-15 overs of ODIs.

Dhoni Promotion in 2011 World Cup final (Ind vs Sri Lanka)
One of the all-time great tactical decisions in ODIs was witnessed at the 2011 World Cup Final between India vs Sri Lanka.

•Key Move: Captain MS Dhoni slipped closer up the order from No. 5 (where he was initially fielded along with Yuvraj Singh who is meant to be in form)

• Impact: Dhoni steadied the ship in chasing, absorbing pressure and smashed a milestone 91*, the match winner for India to lift their ODI title crown 28 years later. His iconic six will always be a special moment of ODI ones.

The Total Domination Way for England (2015)
  LET'S ROME 2015 WILL BE OVER VERY QUICKLY (Disaster post 2015 World Cup for England)

• Point: England turned their over the top ODI conversation into an offensive, fearless assault: scoring at least 350 with the bat several times.

• So the move helped in England dominance of white-ball matches and lifted their World Cup in the 2019 with thunderous batsmen.

Australia Ruthless 4-Pacer squad for the World Cup 2003

Then, there is the most dominant team in ODI history that the 2003 World Cup Australian World Cup-winning side. Fastest strategy? These four pronged approach of their pace attack was very deadly.

 • Ponting   and the Australia team relied on Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath , Andy Bichel and Jason Gillespie be destroy opposition batting order.

• Australia never lost in tournament and then the second consecutive World cup victory in style

ALSOREAD:-Shikhar Dhawan on His Bond with Rohit Sharma

South Africa Apply the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (1992 World Cup)

At times great strategy does not belong to the team itself, but rather the game. As a result of major miscalculation in the DLS semi-final during the 1992 World Cup, we were introduced Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) best estimate method.

• Down-Under: South Africa were needing only 22 runs from the final 13 balls to reach bowl Semifinal, only for that target rising to bizarre mention 22 runs from ONE ball following the rain stoppage.

• Effect: This unfairness resulted in the creation of the DLS system which is what is in use for the alterations rain played over in all forms of limited-overs matches.

Surprise left-arm pacer strategy (1992 World cup final) Pakistan

Pakistan won the 1992 World cup & it was a masterstroke which the team followed in a strategic manner; from the surprise of captain Imran Khan wearing NLD left-arm pacers.

• Super Move: Although Wasim Akram had become an icon already what was born in that final (Two induces over two balls ) was a Pakistani strategic move to use him for game-changing breakthroughs

• Orlando: A strategy that enabled Pakistan to win their one & only World Cup and Wasim Akram's deliveries are still considered legends at the death

Reverse Swing in ODIs (1980s –90s)

Bestiary: Once upon a time, when it perfected the art of reverse swing, bizarre in its newness, no Pakistani fast bowler was beating in an ODICC played with die-hard respect.

• Main Characters: Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis honed the craft turning old-ball cricket (a cheap wicket) just as saleable as new ball spells

• Significance: For all teams across world teams to look for reverse swing, and the death over illumination that defined ODIs.

Final Thoughts

ODI cricket is a story of constant tweaking and genius tactics have left their mark on it. Sri Lanka vs England— post their powerplay blitz, every now and then in the run chase each of these moments changed the colour. As the sport evolves, more tactical innovations will be developed that give the ODI format its excitement!