All-rounder Hardik Pandya said he is delighted the Indian team won this year to raise their third Champions Trophy trophy once they came runners-up in the previous edition in 2017 after a four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the final at Dubai International Stadium here on Sunday.
The final was India’s third in a row in the competition, making them the first side to do so. India fell short in the final of the 2017 Champions Trophy against arch-rivals Pakistan; hence they missed a second straight title opportunity.
This time, however, India benefited as Rohit Sharma top-scored with 76 and Shreyas Iyer (48), KL Rahul (34 not out), and Hardik Pandya (18) all provided key scores to push the side over the line in the pursuit of 252.
“Very happy to have an ICC competition victory. I recall 2017 quite well; I couldn’t get it done. Absolutely happy to have accomplished it here. Calmed, KL took his chances at the appropriate time. Pandya remarked after the game that he has great talent; no one can time it as well as he does.
Veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja said, “That is my nature; sometimes a hero, sometimes a zero. A fresh hitter didn’t find the wicket simple. Hardik and KL were quite excellent. To take the CT crown is a major accomplishment. Not winning a major competition after playing so long stings.
Although a battling New Zealand landed regular strikes meant that it was not a walk in the park, a chase of 252 appeared like an easy job for India on a ground with little turn. India’s chase had an abrupt anxious tempo after Rohit fell for an explosive 83-ball 76. Still the envy of batting depths everywhere notwithstanding the strong fight of New Zealand spinners meant they crossed the mark with over one remaining over.
Though Iyer scored 48 off 62 deliveries, Rahul remained calm to stay till the end and remained 34 not out off 33 balls to guarantee India’s third Champions Trophy win after 2002 and 2013, making them the most successful team in the history of the eight-team tournament in front of a stadium mostly filled with Indian viewers.
The victory would also offer some consolation for the Indian team and its passionate supporters after the 2023 ODI World Cup victory on their own ground was lost.
New Zealand’s half-centuries by all-rounders Daryl Mitchell (63 off 101 balls) and Michael Bracewell (53 not out off 40 balls) on a sunny afternoon helped them to 251/7 in fifty overs.
