India
Michael Bracewell’s unbeaten 53, Daryl Mitchell’s 63 help New Zealand post 251/7 in Champions Trophy final
Michael Bracewell’s unbeaten 53 and Daryl Mitchell’s 63 helped New Zealand post a competitive 251 runs for the loss of seven wickets against India in the Champions Trophy final in Dubai on Sunday.
This is the second time the two nations are clashing for the ICC title, with the Kiwis winning it in 2000 in Kenya.
Indian spinners Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav kept India's hunt to keep the opponent under check by picking up wickets at regular intervals.
New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first, with openers providing the Kiwis a steady start to their innings before mystery spinner Varun Charavarthy took the wicket of Will Young (15) to provide an early breakthrough.
Rachin Ravindra, who had a strong outing in the Champions Trophy so far, kept Indian bowlers busy by smashing 29-ball 37 runs. He punched four boundaries and a six in his knock that troubled India initially.
Kuldeep Yadav scalped Rachin's wicket before he could further cause any damage to India.
Indian Bowlers Keep Things Tight
New Zealand's key batsman Kane Williamson (11) did not capitalise on the start of the innings and lost his wicket to Yadav.
New Zealand struggled at 75 runs for the loss of three wickets within 12.2 overs.
India further tightened the grip after wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Latham (14) was trapped leg before by Ravindra Jadeja and Glenn Phillips (34) was bowled by Chakaravarthy, leaving New Zealand in a tough situation of 5-165.
Daryl Mitchell’s hard-fought 63 off 101 balls, studded with three fours, changed the momentum of the game and helped New Zealand's recovery.
Bracewell Magic
Michael Bracewell hammered an unbeaten knock of 40-ball 53 to help New Zealand reach 251 runs in the quota of 50 overs.
In his quick-fire knock, he whipped away three boundaries and two sixes.
At the end of the innings, skipper Mitchell Santner (8) got run out, while Nathan Smith remained unbeaten on 0.
Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep picked up two wickets each, while Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja took a wicket in the innings.
Missed Chances
Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, and Shami, however, missed catches at crucial moments of the game, which benefitted the opponent.
India had defeated New Zealand in the Group A stage match of the tournament last week at the same venue.
India need 252 runs to win the trophy.
India is playing the second ICC event final in less than a year.
India won the T20 World Cup by beating South Africa last year.
India last won the Champions Trophy in 2013.
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