The captain praised India’s spin attack, while Santner admitted that New Zealand fell short by 20 runs in their performance.

Key Points

1. India’s Spin Dominance
   • India’s spin quartet—Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja—played a crucial role in the team’s ICC Champions Trophy victory.
   • They bowled a combined 38 overs, conceding only 144 runs and taking five wickets in the final against New Zealand.
2. Rohit Sharma’s Praise
   • Skipper Rohit Sharma highlighted the consistency and effectiveness of the spinners throughout the tournament.
   • He particularly praised Varun Chakravarthy, calling him a “mystery spinner” with unique variations, including the carrom ball.
3. Dubai’s Spin-Friendly Conditions
   • India capitalized on Dubai’s spin-friendly pitches, which typically produced low-scoring contests.
   • The team’s decision to play all matches in Dubai, instead of traveling to Pakistan due to political tensions, worked in their favor.
4. New Zealand’s Performance
   • New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner acknowledged India’s superiority, admitting his team fell short by about 20 runs.
   • Santner noted that New Zealand struggled against India’s spinners in the middle overs, losing wickets and failing to build momentum.
5. Tournament Highlights
   • India’s disciplined bowling and strategic use of spinners were key to their success.
   • New Zealand, despite falling short in the final, had a strong tournament overall.

India’s triumph in the ICC Champions Trophy was anchored by their exceptional spin attack, which consistently delivered under pressure. Skipper Rohit Sharma’s strategic use of spinners, particularly Varun Chakravarthy, proved decisive in Dubai’s spin-friendly conditions. New Zealand, led by Mitchell Santner, put up a commendable fight but ultimately fell short against a superior Indian side.

The tournament underscored India’s strength in adapting to conditions and leveraging their spin resources effectively. For New Zealand, the campaign highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in handling quality spin bowling. Overall, India’s victory was a testament to their tactical acumen and the match-winning capabilities of their spinners.