Unbeaten and unputdownable: India win Champions Trophy

It may not have been as iconic a finish as MS Dhoni’s unforgettable six over midwicket in Mumbai, but Ravindra Jadeja’s crisp slap through square leg to clinch the Champions Trophy in Dubai—India’s first ICC 50-over title in 12 years—will be remembered for a long time. Emotions ran high as Jadeja uprooted a stump and broke into a celebratory dance, while KL Rahul let out a triumphant roar. Their jubilant teammates rushed onto the field as India comfortably chased down the target of 252, sealing victory with four wickets in hand and six balls to spare, finally ending a long and agonizing wait for a global title in this format.

Composed Under Pressure: India’s Steady March to Victory

The end was frenetic, but there was little doubt that India would leave the city in tears. Even when they lost wickets in clusters 18 for three after the century-stand between Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma and later 20 for 2 there was never a fear that India would panic and crumble. When they lost Gill, Virat Kohli and Rohit in a trice, Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel stitched 61 runs. When Shreyas and Axar departed, KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya guided the ship, when Hardik exited, Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja calmly dragged them ashore.

Also Read: Stalin Calls for United Opposition Against Delimitation

Redemption and Dominance: India’s White-Ball Supremacy Reaffirmed

It would not dissolve the pain of losing the World Cup final, 15 months ago, but it reasserted that India is an indomitable proposition in the white-ball forms. India won the final as they won the tournament as a whole, with emphatic inevitability. The skills they demonstrated were high-class (barring catches), the depth is envious, stressed by the fact that every member in the final eleven produced at least one match-influencing performance over the course of the tournament.

Also Read : Deepika Padukone dazzles in gold at a Forbes event

India Dominant Triumph: A Ruthless Campaign Backed by Spin and Seam

India not only beat every opponent, but did so with a ruthlessness reminiscent of Australia in the 2000s. The conditions favoured them, slow and sluggish surfaces, but they harnessed those with clinical efficiency. The spinners were at the heart of the victory, but seamers performed their duties admirably too. Mohammed Shami was the joint-highest wicket-taker with Varun Chakaravarthy. Harshit Rana starred in his two outings and Hardik Pandya produced probing spells upfront, in the middle overs and at the death.