Ravindra Jadeja’s Spell Among Most Economical in ICC Event Finals

Ravindra Jadeja delivered an impressive bowling performance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final, registering one of the most economical spells by a spinner in an ICC event final. The Indian all-rounder finished with figures of 1/30 in his full quota of 10 overs, maintaining a remarkable economy rate of just 3.00. His disciplined spell not only put pressure on the opposition but also secured him the third-most economical bowling figures by a spinner in an ICC tournament final.

Jadeja’s performance places him behind Pat Symcox and Harbhajan Singh in terms of economy rates in ICC finals. Symcox, representing South Africa, had bowled a spell of 10-0-29-0 at an economy rate of 2.90 in the 1998 Wills International Cup (Champions Trophy) final against the West Indies. Meanwhile, Harbhajan Singh, the former Indian off-spinner, delivered an even tighter spell of 10-1-27-3 at an economy rate of 2.70 in the Champions Trophy 2002 final against Sri Lanka.

Despite these performances, the most economical spell in an ICC ODI final, when considering completed overs, belongs to West Indies legend Joel Garner. He had an outstanding spell of 1/24 in 12 overs during the 1983 World Cup final against India. However, India’s then-captain Kapil Dev still holds the record for the lowest economy rate in an ICC final, with figures of 1/21 in 11 overs (economy of 1.90) in the same 1983 final, though it was played under the old 60-overs-per-side format.

In the final, New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first. They got off to a solid start, with openers Will Young (15) and Rachin Ravindra (37 off 29 balls, including four boundaries and a six) building a 57-run partnership. However, India’s spinners soon put the brakes on the scoring. Kuldeep Yadav (2/40) played a crucial role in dismantling the top order, reducing New Zealand to 75/3.

A stabilizing partnership between Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell revived the Kiwi innings. Mitchell played a patient knock of 63 runs off 101 balls, hitting three fours, while Bracewell provided late acceleration with an unbeaten 53 off just 40 deliveries, which included three boundaries and two sixes. Their 57-run stand pushed New Zealand past 150, and they eventually finished with a competitive total of 251/7 in their 50 overs.

Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy were India’s most successful bowlers, picking up two wickets each. While Jadeja maintained control with his economical spell, Mohammed Shami had an expensive outing, conceding 74 runs in his nine overs while managing to claim one wicket.

Teams:

New Zealand (Playing XI): Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Kyle Jamieson, William O’Rourke, Nathan Smith

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy.