Furore rages after ‘most meaningless win in cricket history’

There has been more heartbreak for New Zealand after defeat in the Champions Trophy final with many fans saying the same thing.

Chokers.

New Zealand has lost its fifth consecutive ICC white-ball tournament final as India ended its own hoodoo in the Champions Trophy final on Monday morning (AEDT).

Indian captain Rohit Sharma was named man of the match for his fighting 76-run innings as his side got home with six balls and four-wickets to spare.

The cricketing superpower is celebrating its third Champions Trophy title after successfully chasing New Zealand’s total of 252 in Dubai.

India added to their trophies in 2002 and 2013 to go past Australia, who have two titles.

The world number’s one ODI team, India finished unbeaten in the eight-nation tournament played in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

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The tournament will, however, always be contentiously debated after India was given the advantage of playing every match in the UAE despite bitter rival Pakistan hosting the tournament.

Before the tournament even began, this year’s event was branded a “farce” because of India’s refusal to play in Pakistan, citing “political tensions”.

India’s victory has only poured fuel on the burning criticism being directed at the ICC.

One cricket fan called it “the most meaningless win in cricket’s history” because of the advantages India enjoyed.

One X user posted: “This #ChampionsTrophy2025 was a predetermined farce. Basically a professional wrestling event where all India needed to do to win was turn up at the ground”.

Another tweeted: “The only ones defending the #ChampionsTrophy2025 are, unsurprisingly, the fans of the team that avoided travel, enjoyed a home-away-from-home, and played on tailor-made pitches”.

The anger won’t make defeat taste any better for the Kiwis after the country lost its third ICC final in the space of six years.

The Kiwis also came up short in the 2021 T20 World Cup final and the 2019 World Cup final where they lost in cruel circumstances of a thrilling Super Over tie where England was awarded the victory because of a boundary count-back.

Virat Kohli lifts the ICC Champions Trophy. Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images.

New Zealand also lost the 2015 ODI World Cup final to Australia at the MCG and the 2009 Champions Trophy final in South Africa.

As always, the Black Caps handled the defeat graciously, but that hasn’t stopped fans from saying the same thing about the country’s concerning run of failures in the matches that matter the most.

According to foxsports.com.au, New Zealand has qualified for the knock-out stages in ICC tournaments in eight of the 12 tournaments held since 2011.

The Black Caps’ only triumph was in red ball cricket with a victory over India in the World Test Championship final.

The nation has always punched well above its weight on the international stage, but the hoodoo of being slapped down at the final hurdle is a very real phenomenon.

Many cricket commentators chose to take a “glass-half-full” approach and focus on the team’s achievements of simply making it all the way to Monday morning’s decider.

“We’ve always been in awe of what they can do with the limited number of players they’ve had over the years,” Indian superstar Virat Kohli said after the final.

Mitchell Santner (left) with Glenn Phillips (right) after a wicket. Photo by Sameer Ali/Getty Images.

KL Rahul (L) and Ravindra Jadeja celebrate their victory. Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP.

“Every time we play against them in big games, you know they’re going to come with a set plan, and no other team in world cricket executes plans as well as they do.

“Credit to them, they’ve been probably the most consistent team in the last few years in big tournaments.”

Kohli also said: “It’s sad to see my friends on the losing side, but I’ve been there as well when they were on a winning side so it’s only love between us”.

Black Caps captain Mitchell Santner was also looking at the positives.

“It’s been a good tournament,” Santner said.

“We have been challenged along the way and the way we have grown as a group. We lost to a better side today.”

Nice guys finish last — or second at least.

The Kiwis were on the back foot before the match even began when Santner confirmed that quick Matt Henry had been ruled out with injury after a fielding incident where he injured his shoulder during the semi-final.

New Zealand will never match South Africa in any competition when it comes to debate the title of cricket’s biggest chokers, but the Kiwis are at least putting up a case.

Mitchell Santner didn’t have the answers. Photo by Alex Davidson-ICC/ICC via Getty Images.

Before the 2024 T20 World Cup, South Africa had lost seven-consecutive semi-finals in white ball cricket.

South Africa’s only major honour in the game is the Champions Trophy title won in 1998.

The list of World Cup chokes is of course headlined by South Africa’s semi-final implosion against Australia at the 1999 ODI World Cup.

On Monday morning it was New Zealand’s turn to add another mark on its black list.

The final was reportedly watched by an audience of more than 800 million in India - and the celebrations have been wild.

“It is very nice,” Rohit said.

“We played some good cricket though the tournament. To have the result our way is a great feeling.”

Star batsman Kohli said: “It’s been amazing, we wanted to bounce back after a tough Australia tour. Lovely playing with a bunch of amazing youngsters. They’re stepping up and taking India in the right direction.

“When you leave, you want to leave in a better position. So many impactful knocks (Shubman) Gill, Shreyas (Iyer), Rahul have played. The team is in good hands.”

— with AFP