India are the only unbeaten side in the eight-team ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and stand just a win away from the title as they prepare to take on New Zealand in the final on Sunday in Dubai.
After three consecutive wins in the initial stage helped India finish on top of Group A, they defeated Australia in the semifinals to extend their winning run to four matches.
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Here’s a look at India’s road to the final:
GROUP STAGE
India vs Bangladesh
Result: India won by six wickets
India opened their campaign on the back of commanding performances from senior bowler Mohammed Shami and vice-captain Shubman Gill against the Tigers.
While Mohammed Shami’s 5 for 53 restricted Bangladesh to an under-par 228, Gill smashed 101 not out to take his team past the target with 3.3 overs to spare, with important contributions from captain Rohit Sharma (41) and KL Rahul (41 not out).
India vs Pakistan
Result: India won by six wickets
The much anticipated Group A fixture between India and Pakistan saw a vintage century from Virat Kohli, who led the chase of 241 runs with his 100 not out, as Shreyas Iyer contributed 56 runs and Gill 46.
With the ball, it was spinner Kuldeep Yadav leading India’s attack with figures of 3 for 40.
India vs New Zealand
Result: India won by 44 runs
It was India’s first real match-up in the tournament. Both the teams entered the game unbeaten, having ousted Bangladesh and Pakistan from the tournament.
At stake was a chance to top Group A, but more than that, an opportunity to maintain the winning momentum going into the semifinals.
Iyer once again showed his white-ball brilliance with a knock of 79, well supported by Axar Patel (42) and Hardik Pandya (45) after the Kiwis had reduced India to 30 for 3.
Pacer Matt Henry took 5 for 42, which restricted India to 249.
In chase, New Zealand were kept in the game by Kane Williamson who scored 81, but didn’t find stable support at the other end as Varun Chakravarthy wreaked havoc with his spell of 5 for 42 that deflated the Kiwis and they were bowled out for 205.
The win helped India top Group A and set up a semifinal clash against Australia
THE SEMIFINAL
India vs Australia
Result: India won by four wickets
Australia opted to bat after winning the toss in the pressure game but could only post a par 264, led by half-centuries from skipper Steve Smith (73) and Alex Carey (61).
Shami led India’s attack with three wickets (3 for 48). Varun Chakravarthy (2 for 49) and Ravindra Jadeja (2 for 40) took two wickets each.
Kohli once again lived up to his nickname of ‘chasemaster’, winning the ‘Man of the Match’ award for his 84-run knock that took India into the final, with Rahul and Iyer continuing with their good form to score 42 not out and 45 respectively, while Pandya’s cameo of 24-ball 28 ensured there were no hiccups.
