India's Triumph: The ICC champions trophy victory that stole hearts!

India created history by bringing the ICC championship trophy home. For those keeping count, this marks India’s third ICC Champions Trophy triumph, following their 2002 win (shared with Sri Lanka) and the stunning 2013 victory. But this one? This one’s special. After 12 long years, India has reclaimed its spot at the top of the Champions Trophy podium, and it feels sweeter than ever.

The Final Showdown:

New Zealand, opting to bat first, set a challenging target of 251/7. Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell were the heroes of their innings, scoring crucial half-centuries to stabilize the ship after early setbacks. Mitchell's 63 off 101 balls was a testament to his grit, while Bracewell's unbeaten 53 off 40 was a masterclass in late-innings fireworks, complete with two sixes and three fours.

India's spin wizards, Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav, cast their magic to dismantle New Zealand's middle order. Chakaravarthy snatched two wickets, while Yadav also claimed two, including the prized scalp of Kane Williamson. It was a day when India's bowling arsenal proved too hot to handle.

In the chase, India rode on captain Rohit Sharma's composed 76 off 83 balls, forging a 105-run opening stand with Shubman Gill (31 off 50). Despite losing wickets in clusters, India's batting depth proved to be the game-changer. Shreyas Iyer (48 off 62) and Axar Patel (29 off 40) steadied the ship, followed by crucial cameos from KL Rahul (34 not out) and Hardik Pandya (18). Ravindra Jadeja sealed the deal with a boundary off William O'Rourke in the penultimate over, sending the Indian camp into raptures.

India now boasts two ODI World Cups, two T20 World Cups, and three Champions Trophy titles, a testament to their enduring dominance in white-ball cricket.

Rohit Sharma joins an elite club of captains who have won multiple ICC titles, following in the footsteps of legends like Ricky Ponting and MS Dhoni. India's resurgence in global cricket is highlighted by their back-to-back ICC titles, having won the T20 World Cup in 2024.

The win was met with jubilation across India, with congratulatory messages pouring in from every corner of the nation.India's performance throughout the tournament was marked by ruthlessness and depth,every member of the final eleven contributed match-influencing performances, showcasing the team's strength across all departments. It was a true team effort that left fans beaming with pride.