New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner graciously accepted defeat after his team lost to India in the Champions Trophy 2025 final in Dubai. Chasing a target of 252, India secured victory with six balls to spare, thanks to Rohit Sharma’s fluent 76 and the impactful bowling of Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy.
Reflecting on the tournament, Santner admitted that his team was outplayed by a superior Indian side. “It’s been a good tournament. We have been challenged along the way and the way we have grown as a group. We lost to a better side today,” he stated at the post-match presentation. He also appreciated his team’s collective efforts throughout the tournament, highlighting their ability to step up at crucial moments.
New Zealand’s Fightback and Indian Spinners’ Dominance
Despite India’s strong start with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill powering past 100 quickly, New Zealand’s bowlers fought back to keep the match competitive. However, the Indian spinners put the Kiwis under pressure, especially after Rachin Ravindra’s promising start.
“It was good bowling. We lost a couple of wickets after the powerplay and they really got the squeeze on. Credit to their spinners—how they bowled. They are world-class bowlers. We were 20 or 25 runs short of what we were looking for,” Santner remarked.
One of the standout moments in the game was Glenn Phillips’ exceptional leaping catch to dismiss Gill, a moment that earned high praise from Santner. “That man (Phillips) keeps doing it,” he said, also lauding Rohit Sharma’s innings. “The way Rohit and Gill went about it was great. Rohit going at almost a run a ball on that wicket was outstanding. We knew the game could change quickly, and that happened.”
Praise for Rachin Ravindra and Santner’s Leadership Experience
Santner also reserved special appreciation for young opener Rachin Ravindra, who impressed with his performances throughout the tournament, including a century. “We have seen how he steps up in these tournaments. With the ball as well, he stepped up. He understands the game at such a young age. He’s got a massive future. Even today, he went over a run a ball,” Santner said.
Leading New Zealand in his first ICC tournament, Santner found the experience highly rewarding. “It has been very enjoyable. Made easy by the group. Different guys stepping up at different times makes it easy. We have had a few challenges, but we have adapted. It has been a great tournament,” he concluded.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
