New Zealand put up a fierce fight against the overwhelming favorites, India. However, India ultimately outperformed them due to their superior talent and depth, finishing the ICC tournament undefeated for the second consecutive year. After losing in the final of the other two ICC trophies, they now own two of the four. India has won 22 of their 23 completed matches in just the last three ICC tournaments.
The pattern of runs scored on a worn-out field was comparable to previous games. New Zealand rushed to 69 for 1 in the powerplay after winning a vital toss (India had lost their past 15 ODI tosses), but they were held back by India’s excellent spin. The four Indian spinners bowled 38 overs between them to give up just 144 runs and claim five wickets on a pitch that gave them the least amount of turn of any match in Dubai this tournament. Once more, Michael Bracewell hit 53 off 40 to set a target for himself and his bowling colleagues as New Zealand gained momentum late in the game.
Despite a 105-run opening partnership between Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, New Zealand continued to claw their way back after India had a similarly easy start of 64 for 0 in the powerplay. New Zealand took advantage of the enhanced turn (average of 2 degrees in the first innings, 3.4 in the second) and put India to the test. They lacked the mystique of Varun Chakravarthy and the uncommon left-arm wristspin skill of Kuldeep Yadav.
With scores ranging from Rohit’s 76 to Hardik Pandya’s run-a-ball 18, every batsman bar Virat Kohli had a start, but none of them finished the task. However, with one over remaining and four wickets remaining, KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja saw them through because to their amazing depth.
India required 67 from 68 when Iyer was caught off Santner at short fine leg in the 39th over. With six overs remaining, the largest disparity between balls and runs was four, and the asking rate only lingered at about one run per ball. India continued to hit sixes and take strange risks because they were confident in their depth. The composed Rahul led India when the pace eventually resumed. India still had Jadeja in the bank, but Jamieson’s wicket of Hardik off a wicked bouncer in the 48th over was the last straw.
