Dubai, March 9 -- India skipper Rohit Sharma and his deputy Shubman Gill evoked a feeling of nostalgia by recreating the heroics of former batting maestros Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar, becoming just the third pair to score a 100-plus opening stand in the final of the Champions Trophy.

In a pulsating atmosphere and a sold-out crowd in Dubai, India and New Zealand began the quest of fighting for the coveted Champions Trophy on Sunday.

A late surge from Daryl Mitchell (63) and Michael Bracewell (53*) lifted New Zealand to a competitive 251/7. In pursuit of the daunting total, Rohit and Gill set the tempo of the chase with their swashbuckling display.

Rohit was the aggressor, while Gill exhibited an attacking and defensive mindset....