Dubai: Rohit Sharma lost his 12th successive toss, and New Zealand got off to a flying start in the Champions Trophy final, thanks to a belligerent knock by Rachin Ravindra.
The left-hander raced to 37 off 29 balls as New Zealand reached 57 in only the 8th over. Then, the Indian spinners took over, and choked the run flow. New Zealand were ultimately restricted to 251/7 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Varun Chakravarthy broke the opening partnership by trapping Will Young leg-before wicket, before Kuldeep Yadav sent back Ravindra and seasoned pro Kane Williamson in his first two overs. The run rate dropped from more than 7 an over to 5 and below in the middle overs.
Daryl Mitchell scored a laboured 63 off 101 balls, and it was left to Michael Bracewell (53 not out off 40 balls, 3×4, 2×6) to push New Zealand past the 250 mark.
India’s four spinners – Varun, Kuldeep, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel – conceded a mere 144 runs in 38 overs. Pacers Mohammed Shami and Hardik Pandya, on the other hand, leaked 104 runs in 12 overs.
Brief Scores
New Zealand 251/7 in 50 overs (Daryl Mitchell 63, John Bracewell 53*, Rachin Ravindra 37; Kuldeep Yadav 2/40, Varun Chakravarthy 2/45, Ravindra Jadeja 1/30).
India need 252 to lift Champions Trophy.
