While his teammates celebrated India’s Champions Trophy victory, all-rounder Hardik Pandya remembered the painful defeat in the 2017 tournament final against Pakistan in England. Hardik, who was part of the team in 2017, expressed his joy after the win on Sunday, stating, “It’s always amazing to win an ICC event. I remember 2017 very closely, I couldn’t finish it then. I am very happy to have contributed to the victory this time.”
In the 2017 final, Hardik Pandya fought valiantly, scoring 76 runs off 43 balls, but his effort was not enough to save India from a significant loss.
This time, India successfully chased down a target of 252 set by New Zealand, winning by four wickets with six balls remaining. This victory marks India’s third Champions Trophy title, adding to their wins in 2002 and 2013.
Hardik also praised KL Rahul, who played a crucial role in the team’s victory with an unbeaten 34 in the final. “KL was composed and chose the right moments to attack. His timing is exceptional,” Hardik said. Rahul stabilized the innings after India was at 203/5 in the 42nd over.
KL Rahul mentioned he was confident about securing the win. “I was quite confident that I could take us to the finish line. Staying calm is key, and I’m glad I did it this time. I’ve faced similar pressure situations in a few games this tournament,” Rahul added.
He further commented on the team’s talent and resilience, “It’s hard to describe in words, but our team is full of skill. We’ve all grown up facing pressure as professional cricketers. The BCCI has supported us, and we constantly challenge ourselves to improve.”
Varun Chakaravarthy, the mystery spinner who played a key role with nine wickets in three matches, described the win as a dream come true. “Being included in the team suddenly for the match against New Zealand was unexpected, and I didn’t anticipate such a successful tournament. It’s a dream come true. The spin was less in the first innings, so I focused on disciplined bowling and sticking to basics,” Chakaravarthy explained.
India won the Champions Trophy without losing a single match, showcasing their dominance throughout the tournament.
Opener Shubman Gill, who began the tournament with a century against Bangladesh, expressed his admiration for captain Rohit Sharma’s aggressive batting style. “It felt amazing. I mostly enjoyed watching Rohit bat from the other end. He advised me to focus on batting till the end, regardless of the score. We missed out in 2023, so winning eight consecutive ODIs is great.”
“The intensity he brings to his game is incredible. He always encourages us to give our best and leads by example. New Zealand is a very consistent team and executes their plans well. They showed their quality tonight,” Gill added.
Veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, reflecting on past victories and defeats, shared his happiness about this win. “That’s how it goes for me – sometimes I’m the hero, sometimes zero. The pitch wasn’t easy for a new batsman. Hardik and KL played brilliantly. Winning the Champions Trophy is a significant achievement. Not winning a major tournament after playing for so long is disappointing,” Jadeja said, who also scored the winning runs.
For Shreyas Iyer, this was his first ICC tournament win. “I feel ecstatic. This is my first ICC trophy, and I’m overwhelmed. I enjoy playing under pressure. I couldn’t score big in the final but contributing to the win is very satisfying. These earrings are lucky, I’ll keep wearing them,” Iyer said.
Wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who took crucial wickets of Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson, highlighted the challenge of managing four spinners in the team. “It sounds easy to have four spinners, but it’s tough to manage them. It required a lot of planning, and credit goes to Rohit. Big celebrations tonight!” Kuldeep mentioned.
“Luckily, my batting wasn’t needed. KL and Hardik played exceptionally well. I don’t believe in being labeled as favorites, but we’ve been performing outstandingly. This victory is dedicated to our fans.”
