India has once again proven their dominance in white-ball cricket, adding the Champions Trophy to their collection just months after lifting the T20 World Cup in 2024. But while their four-wicket win over New Zealand in Dubai was an impressive feat, there’s a lingering debate over whether their road to victory was a little too smooth.
A Legacy in the Making Winning 23 out of their last 24 matches in major ICC events is no small achievement. The only blemish on their record? That heartbreaking loss to Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final in Ahmedabad. No doubt, India is building a cricketing legacy that could go down as one of the greatest of all time.
But here’s the catch—some believe this latest triumph came with a bit of an advantage. Since India refused to play any of their matches in Pakistan, they got to set up base in Dubai. The conditions there—slow, low-bouncing pitches—were tailor-made for their world-class spin attack. Meanwhile, the other teams had to prepare for both Pakistan and UAE conditions, juggling different strategies and enduring constant travel.
Even Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami admitted the setup played in their favor. “It has definitely helped us because we know the conditions and the behavior of the pitch,” he said. “It’s a plus point that we played all our matches at one venue.”
A Fitting Finale Despite the controversy, India’s final performance was nothing short of dominant. Captain Rohit Sharma led from the front with a blistering 76, setting the tone for the chase. But the real damage was done earlier by India’s spinners—Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja—who collectively stifled New Zealand’s innings, conceding just five boundaries in their 38 overs.
New Zealand put up a fighting total of 251 for seven, but once Rohit and Shubman Gill put on a solid 105-run opening stand, the result felt inevitable. Even a brief wobble, with Virat Kohli falling for just one, couldn’t shake India’s confidence. Their depth and composure saw them through, with Jadeja hitting the winning runs with an over to spare.
Respect, But Questions Remain New Zealand legend Ian Smith summed it up well on commentary. He acknowledged India’s clear advantage, saying they had “adopted Dubai like a second home,” but also gave credit where it was due: “Every team that has had a crack at them has failed. What they have done is absolutely complete, and for that reason, they have to be applauded.”
The win further solidifies India’s reputation as the kings of white-ball cricket, even if some feel the path was made a little easier for them. Either way, their trophy cabinet keeps filling up, and with their current form, there’s no telling where this dominance might end.
