With a challenging task ahead against India's four-pronged spin attack on the Dubai pitch, New Zealand opted to bat first in the Champions Trophy final. Despite early setbacks, they managed to post a competitive total of 251 runs, thanks to a crucial partnership between Daryl Mitchell and Michael Braswell.
New Zealand started steadily, but their openers failed to convert their starts into big scores. Will Young was dismissed for 15 off 23 balls, while Rachin Ravindra played a brisk knock of 37 off 29 balls.
Skipper Kane Williamson had a brief stay at the crease, scoring just 11 runs off 14 balls before getting caught. Tom Latham followed soon after, falling leg-before-wicket for 14 off 30 deliveries. At 108 for 4, New Zealand was in trouble, but Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips attempted to stabilize the innings.
Phillips contributed 34 off 52 balls before being bowled by Varun Chakravarthy. Meanwhile, Mitchell played a resilient knock, reaching his half-century off 91 balls. Alongside Braswell, he helped New Zealand cross the 200-run mark in the 45th over.
Mitchell’s fighting innings came to an end in the 46th over when he was caught off Mohammed Shami after scoring 61 off 101 balls. Mitchell Santner added 8 runs before departing, but Braswell's unbeaten 53 off just 40 balls provided the late flourish, pushing New Zealand to a respectable 251-run total.
For India, Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav took two wickets each, while Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami claimed one wicket apiece.
