Dubai: New Zealand have set a ordinary target of 252 runs to India in final of champions Trophy 2025 here in Dubai.
New Zealand scored 251 runs off 7 wickets in the allotted overs after deciding to bat first over winning the toss.
The Blackcaps got off to a flying start to their innings as openers Will Young and Rachin Ravindra put together a brisk 57-run partnership.
Ravindra was the core aggressor of the opening stand, while Young batted cautiously until falling victim to Varun Chakravarthy in the eighth over. He scored 15 off 23 deliveries.
Kuldeep Yadav then gave India back-to-back breakthroughs by getting rid of set batter Ravindra and experienced Kane Williamson in his successive overs to reduce New Zealand to 75/3 in 12.2 overs.
Ravindra smashed four fours and a six on his way to a 29-ball 37, while Williamson made 11 off 14.
Coming out to bat at number four, Mitchell took the reins of New Zealand’s batting expedition with a cautious half-century.
He was involved in crucial partnerships with in-form Glenn Phillips (34) and Michael Bracewell before falling victim to Mohammed Shami in the 46th over.
Mitchell remained the top-scorer for New Zealand with 63 off 101 deliveries, laced with three boundaries.
Bracewell, on the other hand, carried his bat all the way through and returned unbeaten 53 off 40 deliveries, laced with three fours and two sixes.
For India, Yadav and Chakravarthy picked up two wickets each, while Ravindra Jadeja and Shami made one scalp apiece.
