Hardik Pandya has already turned his focus to the 2026 T20 World Cup in India after playing a crucial role in India’s victorious 2025 Champions Trophy campaign. The dynamic all-rounder made valuable contributions with both bat and ball as India clinched a four-wicket win over New Zealand in the final in Dubai, securing their third Champions Trophy title.
For Pandya, this triumph was particularly special, considering the heartbreak of 2017, when India suffered a crushing 180-run defeat to Pakistan in the final. In that match, he had played one of the most explosive knocks of his early career, smashing 76 off just 43 balls in a daunting 339-run chase. However, his unfortunate run-out triggered India’s collapse to 158 all out. This time, Pandya made sure to finish on the winning side.
“Back in 2017, the work was left unfinished. I couldn’t finish the job that night. But today, I can finally say that I am a Champions Trophy winner. That sounds good, doesn’t it?” Hardik Pandya said in an interview with the ICC.
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The Mumbai Indians captain has always prioritized winning major titles, and with back-to-back ICC trophies—first the 2024 T20 World Cup and now the 2025 Champions Trophy—his hunger remains insatiable.
“I said it in 2024, and I’ll say it again—this is not done. I still want five or six more trophies. Winning championships is what drives me, and my only goal has always been to ensure that my team lifts the trophy,” he added.
Although Hardik Pandya’s numbers—99 runs and four wickets in five matches—might not seem extraordinary, his impact came in crucial moments. His all-round contributions played a vital role in India’s title-winning campaign.
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“For me, the most beautiful feeling is knowing that even if I don’t perform individually, if the team wins, it’s a job well done. This win was for India, for Bharat. Now, the focus shifts to the next goal—winning the ICC T20 World Cup on home soil in 2026.”
Before that, Hardik Pandya will lead Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025, aiming to add another trophy to his growing collection.
