Rohit, Rahul, and the spinners orchestrated India’s path to clinch their third Champions Trophy, displaying a harmonious blend of cricketing excellence and tactical ingenuity. With an arsenal of talent and strategy, India asserted their dominance, marking yet another milestone with unbeaten victories throughout the tournament. This achievement underscores India’s consistency and prowess across global cricketing arenas and various playing conditions.
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New Zealand Puts up 252/7
The stage was set ablaze in Dubai, buzzing with anticipation. New Zealand, standing resolute as the challengers, faced the challenging prospect of toppling a well-oiled Indian machine. Despite the toss tipping in India’s favor, New Zealand leapt into an assertive foray during the powerplay, amassing 69 runs with minimal damage. Yet, the relentless Indian spin maestros swiftly stemmed the Kiwi tide, cutting short any brewing momentum.
The well-worn pitch of Dubai, reluctant to offer substantial spin, further magnified the artistry of India’s spin quartet. Over a marathon 38 overs, these craftsmen conceded a mere 144 runs, slicing through New Zealand’s lineup with five crucial wickets. Michael Bracewell’s audacious 53 off 40 deliveries was pivotal, giving New Zealand a total that kept hopes afloat.
India’s Batting Depth at Test
India’s batting response was brisk, reaching 64 without losing a wicket amidst powerplay fireworks. Rohit Sharma’s flamboyance, paired with Gill’s composure, forged a fearful opening tandem. New Zealand’s canny adjustments, relying on spin savants like Varun and Kuldeep, tested the batsmen thoroughly. Yet, India’s formidable batting depth and tenacity tipped the scales, with Rahul and Jadeja anchoring the team towards the finish line with calculated precision, reaching the target with minimal overs to spare.
India Vs New Zealand : Battle of Spinners
This final, shining brightly in a tournament often devoid of cliffhangers, illuminated India’s stronger tactical arsenal compared to New Zealand. Rachin Ravindra, a tour de force with the bat, dazzled early on, launching a sparkling 37-run blitz. Nevertheless, India’s recalibration to a spin-centric strategy during the middle overs gradually strangled New Zealand’s momentum.
The Indian spin brigade, characterized by meticulous accuracy and guile, dismantled the Kiwi middle order. Varun’s tactical legbreaks and Kuldeep’s clever variations posed insurmountable challenges for New Zealand’s batsmen, while Jadeja’s pinpoint precision left them struggling to gain a foothold.
Bracewell’s late show, a flicker of hope for New Zealand, was eventually dimmed as India’s strategists deployed their pace artfully in the final overs. Despite the competitive target, India’s explosive reply, highlighted by Rohit’s early blitz against pacers, set a defiant tone. Even as the contest tightened, with showstopping catches like those from Phillips, India’s resolve did not waver.
Rahul, in particular, flourished in the climactic stages, deftly navigating both pressures and pace with Jadeja’s astute support. His composed strategy against Jamieson embodied India’s blend of daring and discipline, encapsulating the indomitable spirit and tactical brilliance inherent in Indian cricket. As they revel in their third Champions Trophy glory, the Indian team sets a high bar for international cricket excellence, leaving an unforgettable imprint on the sport’s global stage.
Why no representative from host Pakistan Joined Champions Trophy Final Closing Ceremony
The lack of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials at the ICC Champions Trophy’s finale has finally been explained. As India demolished New Zealand, securing victory by four wickets and bagging their third Champions Trophy title, questions arose over the notable absence of PCB representatives during the momentous closing ceremony, despite Pakistan holding the mantle of hosts. This surprising oversight triggered some criticism, with luminaries like Shoaib Akhtar openly wondering why no PCB figures were present to bestow medals and jackets upon the athletes.
Relieving them of this honor were BCCI President Roger Binny and Secretary Devajit Saikia, while the prestigious trophy found its way into Rohit Sharma’s hands courtesy of ICC President Jay Shah. Addressing this muddle, an ICC spokesperson gave some clarity to India Today.
The spokesperson conveyed that PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi was not in Dubai due to travel constraints. The invitation was solely extended to PCB office bearers, and regrettably, not a single one was on the ground in Dubai during the ceremony.
In an intriguing twist, PTI reported that PCB’s Chief Executive Officer, Sumair Ahmed, who played a part as the tournament’s director, was on the scene but not invited to the ceremonial proceedings. This could be due to a lapse in communication between him and the ICC personnel responsible for managing the ceremony setup.
According to a source, Chairman Mohsin Naqvi didn’t attend because of commitments as the federal minister for interior. However, Sumair Ahmed was delegated to represent Pakistan at the final and closing presentations. Adding to the intrigue, the report indicates that PCB intends to address this issue with the ICC to discern why their CEO was sidelined during such a significant event.
