New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner conceded that India's "world-class" spinners were the difference in their Champions Trophy final defeat on Sunday. 

Santner, who took two wickets in the final and scored eight runs with the bat, could not stop New Zealand from falling to a four-wicket defeat to an impressive India side. 

And it was against India's spin that the Black Caps struggled. Indeed, from the 14th to the 27th over, they went 81 deliveries without a boundary.

India's spinners produced 26 wickets in the Champions Trophy this year. In the final, they bowled 38 overs, the third-highest India have used in an ODI innings.

30 of those came between the 11th and 40th, yielding just 103-4. In addition, they took four wickets during the final, which Santner said was pivotal in deciding the contest. 

"It's been a good tournament. We faced some challenges along the way, but we've grown as a group. We played some good cricket, but we fell short to a better team," he said. 

"Credit to how they played, they're world-class spin bowlers. We were probably about 20 runs under what we wanted, but we just went out looking to restrict them."

Defeat in Dubai. A valiant team effort with the ball led by Michael Bracewell (2-28 off 10) and Mitchell Santner (2-46 off 10). Congratulations to India. Catch up on all scores | https://t.co/QtdToriYHk #ChampionsTrophy #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/ezHrl2OwWq

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 9, 2025

New Zealand have now lost their last seven ODIs against India, with both their defeats in this year's Champions Trophy coming against Sunday's opponents. 

In the final, New Zealand posted 251-7 after they elected to bat first on a sluggish pitch that aided the spinners.

Rachin Ravindra helped New Zealand start strongly with his 37, but soon the Indian spinners hit back with wickets.

Daryl Mitchell top-scored with 63 and Michael Bracewell finished off with an unbeaten 53 off 40 balls, but it wasn't enough against an Indian batting line-up with depth.

"I guess it's kind of bittersweet at the end," Santner said.

"I think we came up against a good side in the final but, yeah, you know, we challenged in there at times throughout this game, which was pleasing.

"I think there were probably a couple of small moments where we let it get away from us.

"But yeah, incredibly proud of this group for the way we've kind of gone about it throughout this tournament."

Ravindra scored two centuries in the eight-nation tournament and amassed 263 runs to be named player of the series.

He also took three wickets with his left-arm spin after returning to the team following his recovery from a nasty hit to his forehead in a warm-up match in Pakistan.

"We've seen how he steps up in these major events and that's all you can ask for," Santner said of his 25-year-old all-rounder.

"He understands his game at such a young age already. He's got such a massive future ahead. He even took the ball in hand and put the pressure back on them today."