Under the leadership of Mitchell Santner, the New Zealand National Cricket Team locked horns with the Rohit Sharma-led India National Cricket Team in the summit clash of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

The final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 between the Black Caps and the Men In Blue was played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, March 9.

Also Read: “Very solid mind” – Rohit Sharma hails KL Rahul after India’s CT 2025 triumph

We were beaten by a good side who turned up today – Mitchell Santner

New Zealand won the toss and, looking at the conditions, opted to bat first in the match. They were unable to make the most of the decision but managed to post a competitive total – 251/7 – on the board.

Defending the total, the Kiwis were decimated by Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and even though they managed to dismiss him, other Indian batters stepped up and handed the Black Caps a 4-wicket loss.

Speaking during the post-match presentation ceremony, Mitchell Santner said that they lost to a better side in the summit clash but was happy with the way New Zealand played throughout the competition. He said:

“It has been a good tournament. We had challenges along the way, but we have grown as a group and played some good cricket. We were beaten by a good side who turned up today. Lot of good stuff from our group, guys stepping up at different times and that’s all you can ask as a captain.

“(on slowing down during the middle-overs) It was good bowling. We lost a couple of wickets after the powerplay. Credit to the way their spinners bowled, all four of them, world-class. We were 25 under but we had a total, we tried to fight and that’s what we did.”

Mitchell Santner also lauded Glenn Phillips for consistently producing unbelievable moments on the field. He further said that Rohit Sharma put them under pressure early on in the innings with his incredible knock.

“(on Phillips’ catch) He keeps doing it doesn’t he. The powerplay was the best time to bat, Rohit and Gill cashed in, Rohit’s innings was outstanding and it put us on the back foot, but we knew the game can change quickly and we kept chipping away at the wickets and stayed in the game,” Mitchell Santner said.

Mitchell Santner showered rich praise on Rachin Ravindra for his heroics in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and signed off by saying it was a great tournament for them. He elaborated:

“(on Ravindra) We have seen how he steps up in these major events, he has been oustanding with the ball and even GP. He understands his game at such young age and even put the pressure on India early on. It has been enjoyable, made easier by the group and I can’t thank the boys enough. We have adjusted to different wickets, so close but it has been a great tournament.”

How Did New Zealand Perform In Their Previous ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Match Against India?

In their previous ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match against Team India, New Zealand fought hard at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 2. However, they lost the match by 44 runs.

Opting to bowl first, New Zealand started brilliantly, reducing India to 30/3 within the powerplay and dismissing Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill.

Pacer Matt Henry was the wrecker-in-chief as he bagged a sensational five-wicket haul (5/42). Kyle Jamieson, Will O’Rourke, Mitchell Santner, and Rachin Ravindra chipped in with a wicket each, ensuring India didn’t post a big score and stopped them for 249 runs.

Chasing the target, New Zealand never found a rhythm as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Rachin Ravindra and Will Young fell early, while Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham couldn’t capitalize on their starts.

Star batter Kane Williamson emerged as the lone warrior as he chipped in with 81 runs off 120 balls, before being stumped in 41st over. Williamson looked set in the middle after spending some time, but he lacked support from the other end.

From the middle and lower order, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, and Mitchell Santner all fell to Varun Chakravarthy, and the Kiwis were eventually bowled out for 205in 45.3 overs.