Team India defeated New Zealand by four wickets in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai on Sunday (March 9) to clinch the coveted title.

Set a target of 252 by New Zealand, India rode on skipper Rohit Sharma’s 76 and crucial contributions from Shreyas Iyer (48) and KL Rahul (34*) to get over the line with four wickets in hand and an over to spare.

After the game, former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi heaped praise on the Men in Blue, saying they could even beat a 'World 11'.

Afridi further stated that the India ‘deserved to win’ the tournament because of their investment in domestic structure and the ‘brilliant work’ done be the selection committee in picking the right team.

“They deserved to win. When you invest in your domestic cricket, the structure, the academies and good cricket, you’ll get the results for it. No doubt India’s selection for the Champions Trophy, for the conditions… it was brilliant work from their selection committee. Yes, I agree that they knew the conditions because they played all their matches at the same place and didn’t change venues,” Afridi said on Samaa TV.

“That’s a big reason behind their win but the real reason is also their selection. I know this because I have played in Dubai, we used to attack the spinners, the role of the spinners is very important here. Their selection was very good. If you see India’s team from openers to middle-order, to all-rounders, genuine spinners and fast-bowlers — I’ll say that if you make a World 11 of the Champions Trophy and make them play against India in Dubai, India will still win," he added.

India remained unbeaten throughout the Champions Trophy. After beating Bangladesh, Pakistan and New Zealand in the group-stage, they defeated Australia in the semi-final before getting the better of Kiwi once again in the summit clash.

This marks Rohit's second ICC trophy as captain, following India's T20 World Cup 2024 triumph, where they edged past South Africa in a thrilling final at Barbados.