Chasing 252 to win, India got off to a fast start through their captain’s first half-century of the tournament before KL Rahul hit an unbeaten 34 to help seal victory with six balls to spare in the final 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.
“It is very nice,” Rohit said. “We played some good cricket though the tournament. To have the result our way is a great feeling.”
“It’s been amazing, we wanted to bounce back after a tough Australia tour. Lovely playing with a bunch of amazing youngsters,” star batsman Virat Kohli said. “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,” he added.
Both Kohli and Rohit had a lean run of form in India’s 3-1 Test defeat in Australia earlier this year and the pair came into the tournament with speculation swirling over their ODI retirements.
In a battle of spin on a sluggish Dubai pitch, New Zealand’s bowlers put India in trouble at 203-5 with Rohit and Shreyas Iyer, who hit 48, back in the pavilion.
But Rahul kept calm and along with Hardik Pandya (18) and Ravindra Jadeja, who hit the winning boundary, steered the team home to loud cheers from a largely Indian crowd in a sea of blue.
India played all their matches at the Dubai International Stadium after they refused to tour hosts Pakistan due to political tensions. (AFP)
