On March 9, 2025, the Dubai International Cricket Stadium bore witness to a cricketing spectacle as India clinched their third ICC Champions Trophy title, defeating New Zealand by four wickets. The ICC Champions Trophy is one of the tallest pillars of international cricket, a tournament where legends are forged, and cricketing dynasties are cemented.  This victory wasn’t just a win—it was a spectacle, a moment of sheer dominance, passion, and cricketing excellence.

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Have you ever held a winning flag out the window of your car on a night your home country wins one of the largest international titles in the world of Cricket? I have driven through the streets of Mumbai on the night of 9th March, hugged and high fived by a few hundred happy faces everywhere i stopped chanting INDIA... INDIA. The tri-colour in every hand, fire crackers, songs and an atmosphere more jubilant than the one i witnessed after the 2024 T20 World Cup win. In a country that saw a ticker on Jio Hotstar cross the 900 Million views mark, higher than the 600 Million views mark for the game against Pakistan, it was only the beginning of a long night of celebrations.

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India’s Road to the Final

India commenced their campaign with a commanding victory over Bangladesh, propelled by Shubman Gill’s unbeaten century. The momentum continued as they triumphed over arch-rivals Pakistan, with Virat Kohli’s masterful century steering the chase. A subsequent win against New Zealand, highlighted by Varun Chakravarthy’s five-wicket haul, ensured India’s top position in Group A. In the semi-final, they faced Australia, where Kohli’s leadership and a collective team effort secured their spot in the final

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Spin Wizards: India’s Trump Card

Central to India’s success was their formidable spin quartet. Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy consistently dismantled opposition line-ups, with Varun's 2/45 in the final exemplifying his knack for delivering under pressure. When the great Nasser Hussain warned NZ before the finals. "Varun will be the real challenge", he was not joking. Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel further tightened the screws, ensuring that New Zealand’s batsmen found it challenging to accelerate during the middle overs.  

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Rohit Sharma: The Architect of Victory

"And just so that there are no rumours, I am not retiring from this format of the game". International press almost lapped up every line in that post match press conference. Leading from the front, Captain Rohit Sharma’s innings of 76 runs in the final was a masterclass in pacing a chase. His partnerships, especially the 105-run opening stand with Shubman Gill, laid a solid foundation for India’s pursuit of the 252-run target. Sharma’s strategic acumen, particularly his field placements and bowling changes, played a pivotal role in India’s dominance throughout the tournament.  

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The Final Showdown: Moments of Brilliance

New Zealand, batting first, posted a competitive total of 251/7, with notable contributions from Daryl Mitchell (63) and Michael Bracewell (53*). India’s chase was punctuated by moments of tension and brilliance: Glenn Phillips’ Spectacular Catch: A defining moment came when Phillips executed a stunning one-handed catch to dismiss Shubman Gill, showcasing athleticism at its finest. It could easily be called one of the best catches in modern cricketing history. And if you witnessed his posing with the ball after, it simply shows the amazing prowess our kiwi neighbours posses.

The Middle-Order resilience by team India: Despite losing wickets at crucial junctures, contributions from Shreyas Iyer (48) and the composed finishing by KL Rahul (34*) ensured India remained on course. Jadeja’s Finishing Touch: Ravindra Jadeja sealed the victory with a boundary, sparking jubilant celebrations among the Indian contingent.

‍A Nod to Rachin Ravindra While India’s victory was the highlight, the tournament also celebrated individual brilliance. New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra, of Indian descent, was named Player of the Tournament for his consistent performances, symbolizing the global nature of the sport and inspiring young cricketers worldwide.

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From Mumbai to Auckland - With Love. Desis's Rejoice. ‍

The triumph ignited celebrations across the globeThe camaraderie was evidebond stronger than ever. The Ro-Ko dandiya, the Shreyas Break Dance, The Jadeja no 8 back tap and that inimitable Sunny Gavaskar happy dance. ‍Heartwarming scenes unfolded with Anushka Sharma embracing Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma sharing the victory moment with his daughter, encapsulating the personal sacrifices behind the glory.

India’s 2025 ICC Champions Trophy win stands as a testament to their strategic mastery, individual brilliance, and the unifying spirit of cricket. This victory not only adds a glorious chapter to India’s cricketing annals but also reinforces their stature in the global arena.

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TCD Desk

The Chaos Drop has been fortunate to be able to bring to our South Asian fans some of the most crucial desi moments from around the world. We have a simple job, bring amazing desi stories to life. In this epic journey we have found and made many like minded friends, and mate can some of them write! A big shout out to the TCD fam in London, in Auckland, in Dubai, in Edmonton and in India that have agreed to collaborate and contribute as guest writers. Our readers down under and across the world will be delighted to read about how the global south asian diaspora is intricately helping weave the fabric of real culture around the world.