KL Rahul didn’t filter his words as he shared his thoughts on facing the nerve-wracking moments in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final against New Zealand at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday (March 9).
Speaking at the post-match interview, Rahul conceded that he was indeed nervous when he came out to bat. Shreyas Iyer’s dismissal in the 39th over led to his arrival at the crease. The wicketkeeper-batter stayed till the end to take India home.
“I don’t think I can say this on camera but I was shitting myself. We had a couple of batters to come but I was tense. It’s all about keeping yourself calm and composed in situations like this. I think I’ve batted in times like this in 3 out of the 5 games (in this CT) and in one of the games I didn’t get to bat at all against Pakistan," Rahul said.
India were tasked to chase 252 in the title clash and they got off to a fabulous start, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill adding 105 runs for the opening wicket.
Mitchell Santner drew the first blood for New Zealand, dismissing Gill for 31 in the 19th over. Bracewell got rid of Virat Kohli for just 1 in the very next over to reduce India to 106/2. As the Kiwi spinners tightened the screws in the middle overs, Rohit attempted a big shot against Rachin Ravindra only to get stumped for 76 (83 balls).
Subsequently, Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel stitched a 61-run partnership to bail India out of trouble. However, Santner and Bracewell once again brought New Zealand back in the game by removing Shreyas and Axar for 48 and 29, respectively.
With 49 needed off 51 balls, Hardik Pandya joined KL Rahul in the middle and the pair added 38 runs to put India on the brink of victory. While Pandya fell in the 48th over after scoring run-a-ball 18, Rahul (34*) held the one end and took India over the line alongside Ravindra Jadeja (9*) with four wickets and an over to spare.
With this triumph, the Men in Blue further cemented their status as the most successful team in Champions Trophy history, winning the showpiece tournament without dropping a game.
