ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India Beat New Zealand in the Final — India's Fourth CT Title, Hybrid Format in Pakistan
India won the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, beating New Zealand in the final to win their fourth Champions Trophy title (after 2002 shared, 2013, and now 2025). The tournament was hosted by Pakistan in February-March 2025 in a hybrid format: all matches involving India were played at a neutral venue (Dubai International Cricket Stadium, UAE) due to political restrictions between India and Pakistan. India's squad was captained by Rohit Sharma. The final was played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. New Zealand: Tom Latham (captain). India won the tournament undefeated. Rohit Sharma was named Player of the Tournament. The hybrid model — Pakistan hosting but India not playing on Pakistani soil — was a first for an ICC tournament and was a significant organizational and political development in cricket.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was hosted by Pakistan in February-March 2025 — the first ICC 50-over tournament hosted by Pakistan since the 1996 World Cup (co-hosted by India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka). The tournament used a hybrid format for the first time in ICC history: all matches involving India were played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, UAE, with all other matches staged at venues in Pakistan (Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi). This arrangement reflected the political restrictions on India-Pakistan bilateral cricket, which had not featured a home series between the two nations since 2012-13.
India's Unbeaten Run and the Final vs New Zealand
India progressed through the group stage and knockout rounds undefeated, with their batting depth and bowling attack performing consistently in Dubai's conditions. The final was played between India and New Zealand — a repeat of the competitive rivalry that had featured in the ICC WTC 2021 Final (which New Zealand won) and the BGT qualification implications of NZ's 3-0 tour win in India in October 2024. India beat New Zealand in the final to claim their fourth Champions Trophy title. Rohit Sharma was named Player of the Tournament for his consistent run-scoring throughout the competition.
The Hybrid Model and Its Significance
The hybrid model adopted for CT 2025 set a significant precedent for international cricket administration. Pakistan had originally been awarded the full tournament and expected India to play on Pakistani soil for the first time since 2008. India's refusal (backed by the BCCI) led to the ICC-mediated compromise of neutral venues for India's matches. All other teams — Pakistan, New Zealand, Australia, England, South Africa, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh — played their matches in Pakistan. The arrangement was notable for allowing the tournament to proceed while managing one of cricket's most complex geopolitical relationships.
Frequently asked questions
How many ICC Champions Trophy titles has India won?
India has won the ICC Champions Trophy four times: 2002 (shared with Sri Lanka — final abandoned due to rain), 2013 (beat England by 5 runs, DLS method, at Edgbaston), and 2025 (beat New Zealand in the final in Dubai). The 2025 tournament was hosted by Pakistan using a hybrid format — India's matches were played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, UAE. Rohit Sharma captained India to the 2025 title.
Why was the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 played in a hybrid format?
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was hosted by Pakistan but used a hybrid format because India (BCCI) declined to play on Pakistani soil, citing the diplomatic restrictions that have prevented bilateral India-Pakistan cricket since 2012-13. The ICC mediated a compromise: all matches involving India were held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the UAE, while all other matches — including the Pakistan vs other teams games — were played at venues in Pakistan (Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi). This hybrid model was a first for ICC tournament hosting.