Champions Trophy final: NZ set IND 252-run target

New Zealand managed to set India a target of 252 runs in the Champions Trophy final at the Dubai International Stadium. 

Daryl Mitchell was the Black Caps’ top scorer with 63 runs while Michael Bracewell scored an unbeaten half century to guide the Kiwis past 250-run mark. For India, Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav have claimed two wickets each while Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja chipped in with one wicket each. 

India had NZ under pressure in the middle overs, with the spinners choking run-flow but Bracewell’s late surge helped the Kiwis score 79 runs in the last 10 overs.

Earlier, Rohit Sharma‘s incredible run of losing the toss in ODIs continued as New Zealand opted to bat first in Dubai on Sunday in the ICC Champions Trophy Final. 

It is now Rohit’s 12th straight toss lost in the format, equalling Brian Lara’s all-time record for a captain. India went for an unchanged XI. For NZ, Matt Henry – who injured his shoulder in the semifinal – is out and Nathan Smith replaced him in the XI.

After Rachin got off to a flier, India pulled things back thanks to Varun and Kuldeep, the latter dismissing the key batters in Rachin and Kane Williamson. Read more about Kuldeep here. India were sloppy on the field, though, putting down numerous catches.

Playing XIs:

INDIA: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy

NEW ZEALAND: Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner(c), Kyle Jamieson, William ORourke, Nathan Smith

Source: The Indian Express
--Agencies