- Recently, cricket connoisseurs, experts, ex-players, and crazy fans of Team India would have felt hugely let down by the below par performances against the visiting New Zealand in Tests and demoralizing mauling at the hands of Australia while touring Down Under again in Tests. People closely following the fortunes of Indian cricket would have noticed the fortress of home advantages and reputation built over decades of fabulous performances was shattered when Team Kiwis whitewashed the much-fancied Team India 3-0. Tests against Australia did not go as per the script either when the visitors were beaten 1-3 even though the results may not accurately showcase the fight put up. The focus then shifted to the ICC-Champions Trophy.
PC: Forbes
The 50-over contest involving eight Test playing nations was scheduled to be held in Pakistan. Still, it had to be shifted to Dubai, involving Team India, because of the latter raising security concerns. The rest as they say is history. Team India’s remarkable run in the event resulted in the coveted trophy being lifted after 12 years, even though some of the experts were questioning the advantages of playing all the matches at one venue, whereas other teams had to travel a bit. Two finalists in the ICC-Champions Trophy 50-over contest were deservedly India and New Zealand. As it eventually turned out, the former held their nerves to cross the distance by defeating the Kiwis with an over to spare in the keenly contested finals.
PC: India Today
- The nail-biting contest between the two had all the elements usually associated with the white ball format. Both teams were well served by the spinners who dominated the latter stages of the tournament because of the conditions. Team India triumphed in the finals without losing a single game. Captain Rohit Sharma led from the front by scoring an entertaining knock of 76 endowed with typically blazing sixes and fours from Hitman. A score of 251 set by the Kiwis was competent on a slow pitch but was skillfully nullified by the aggressive innings right at the top from the captain. The Indian spinners were in their elements with all the four contributing equally in restricting the Kiwis. The par score was always going to test the Indians while chasing though.
PC: India Today
- The opening partnership between Rohit and Shubhman Gill proved to be a gamechanger. Even though Team India lost three wickets in the interim, including the talismanic Virat Kohli for 1, crucial contribution from Axar Patel and the composed innings of KL Rahul interspersed with breezy knock from Hardik Pandya sealed the chase. Team India must be complemented for dominating the entire tournament with spectacular performances from each player whenever needed. The two old warhorses Rohit and Virat delivered when it mattered most, proving yet again how critical cogs both have been to Team India in the last few years. Many congratulations to Team India for bringing home the ICC-Champions Trophy for the third time!
