Star all-around Hardik Pandya remembered the heartbreaking 2017 Championship when his teammates enjoyed the glory of success in India in Sunday’s championship trophy. At the time, India lost to traditional Pakistan in the England final, and Hadick was part of the team. “It’s always great to win the ICC event. I remember very much in 2017 and couldn’t finish this time. It’s great to do that here,” Hardick made a huge contribution to India’s championship victory on Sunday, he told the official broadcaster.
Hardik beat 43 goals and 76 in the 2017 final, the only ranger in India, but hitting doesn’t stop his team from suffering a major defeat.
India set New Zealand’s goal at 252 and completed the mission with four wickets and six balls to win the third championship title after 2002 and 2013.
The all-rounder also praised KL Rahul, another contributor to the team’s triumphant entry, and he scored a 34-unbeaten 34 in the final.
“Kuala Lumpur is calm and he seized the opportunity at the right time. He has great talent and no one can do the same time as him.” Rahul anchored the chase for India, losing several wickets, and found himself at the end of the 42nd time for 203/5.
Karnataka cricketer said he always has the confidence to get the job done.
“I can overcome the boundaries as confident as possible. Staying calm is crucial and I’m glad to do that this time. In three of the five games, I’ve beaten at such a time,” Rahul said.
“It’s hard to talk, but the team has pure skills. We all have to play cricket and grow up, and we’ve been under pressure since we’ve become professional cricketers. BCCI has embellished everyone and we’ve challenged ourselves to make ourselves better,” said the soft hitter.
Mystery Spinner Varun Chakaravarthy is Rohit’s ace card in the game, which includes three games, which is a dream moment for him.
Chakaravarthy said: “It was a sudden inclusion (being part of XI in the league match against New Zealand), and I didn’t expect it to be like this, the dream came true. In the first inning, there was less spin and I had to discipline and just stick to the basics,” Chakaravarthy said.
India’s winning without losing the game reflects their dominance in the game.
Opening match Shubman Gill started with a century of matches against Bangladesh, and he was in awe of the captain’s free-flowing hits, which usually brought rhythm to the team.
“It feels great. Most of the time, I sit down and enjoy Rohit’s batting. He told me how important the scoreboard gap is, with the goal of hitting the ball to the end. We missed it in 2023 and were happy to win eight ODIS back-to-back.
“It was amazing to see the intensity of his playing. He kept telling us to give everything and support it. New Zealand was very stable and accurately executing the plan. We knew they were all out. They showed it tonight with consistency.”
Experienced all-around player Ravindra Jadeja was once a part of the famous victory and heartbreaking part, and he expressed his delight at the victory.
“That’s what I’m with; sometimes it’s a hero, sometimes it’s zero. For new batsmen, the wicket is not easy. Hardik and KL are great. Winning the championship trophy is a huge thing. If you don’t win big games after such a long time, that’s too painful,” Jadeja hit the win.
For Shreyas Iyer, who lent solidity to the middle order with his calculated batting, it was a maiden ICC tournament win “Feeling ecstatic. This is my first ICC trophy, kind of overwhelmed looking at each and everyone in the dressing room. I love to go under pressure, I thrive. Not able to get a big one (in the final) but immensely satisfying to contribute to win. These are the lucky earrings, they’ll stay on,” the stylish batter said.
Wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav quickly sent back dangerous Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson to give India the upper hand, saying it was no easy task to manage four spinners in the XI competition.
“It’s easy to say four spinners on the team, but it’s very difficult to manage four spinners. There are a lot of plans and a lot of honors for Rohit Bhai. Tonight’s big party.”
“Luckily, my batting didn’t need to be. KL and Hardik did a great job. I don’t believe in the favorites tags, but we’ve been doing well. This win is our fans.”
(The story has not been edited by NDTV staff except the title and published from the joint feed.)
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