India Clinches ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in a Historic Final Against New Zealand
Dubai, UAE – March 9, 2025: India secured the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 title with a thrilling four-wicket victory over New Zealand in Dubai. The high-stakes final not only showcased world-class cricket but also shattered digital viewership records, making it one of the most-watched sporting events in history.
A Battle of Nerves in the Grand Finale
New Zealand, batting first, set a competitive total of 251/7 in their 50 overs. Daryl Mitchell anchored the innings with a well-crafted 63, while Michael Bracewell's unbeaten 53 provided crucial support. However, India’s bowlers, led by Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja, kept the scoring under control despite a few dropped catches.
Chasing 252, India had a solid start, but New Zealand’s bowlers created tense moments in the middle overs. KL Rahul's composed innings guided the chase, and with Ravindra Jadeja smashing the winning runs, India lifted their third ICC Champions Trophy, having previously won in 2002 (shared with Sri Lanka) and 2013.
Record-Breaking Viewership on Jio Hotstar
While the match itself was historic, the real game-changer was the global audience. The live stream on Jio Hotstar recorded a staggering 817 million concurrent viewers, breaking all previous digital sports viewership records. This unprecedented milestone highlights cricket's immense global appeal and the increasing shift towards digital consumption of live sports.
Reactions from the Cricketing World
Indian captain Rohit Sharma lauded his team, calling the victory “a proud moment for Indian cricket.” He added, “The way our team performed under pressure was exceptional. This win belongs to every Indian fan.”
New Zealand’s captain Kane Williamson, though disappointed, acknowledged India's brilliant performance. “We gave it our all, but India was the better team today. Congratulations to them,” he said.
A Night to Remember
As fireworks illuminated the Dubai sky and celebrations erupted across India, this final will be remembered not only for India’s triumph but also for redefining digital sports viewership. The cricketing world now looks forward to the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, where India will aim to continue their dominance on the global stage.
750+ Millions People were watching 9th March Cricket World Championship Trophy