Team India is gearing up for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final, set to take place on March 9 at the Dubai International Stadium. The Men in Blue have been in stellar form, remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament. Their latest triumph came in the semifinals against Australia, where they secured a hard-fought four-wicket victory.
While Virat Kohli’s composed 84-run knock anchored the chase, it was Hardik Pandya’s late cameo that provided the final push. Walking in after Kohli’s dismissal, Hardik played a crucial 28-run innings off 24 balls, which included three towering sixes and a boundary. His aggressive intent was on full display when he smashed back-to-back sixes off Adam Zampa, significantly easing India’s chase.
However, his quick-fire innings came to an end in the 48th over when Glenn Maxwell took a sharp catch. As Pandya walked back to the pavilion with a smile, his reaction intrigued fans. In a video shared by BCCI, teammate Axar Patel asked Hardik about his expression. Hardik revealed that he was smiling because he knew the dressing room would be tense at that moment.
ALSO READ: Playing all games in Dubai is an advantage, says Mohammed Shami
“I knew that two sixes were needed, and I could hit them anytime. I wasn’t thinking about how many balls were left or what was going on inside the dressing room. But I knew they would be a bit tense, and that thought made me smile,” Hardik Pandya shared.
View this post on Instagram
India’s mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy also praised the team’s chase, highlighting the contributions of Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Pandya. “What a chase by the chase master, Virat Kohli! Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul played superbly, and Hardik’s sixes were crucial,” he remarked.
ALSO READ: KKR vs LSG Clash Faces Security Concerns Amid Ram Navami Celebrations
KL Rahul, who remained unbeaten, acknowledged Pandya’s role in reducing the pressure. “The way Hardik hit those two sixes off Zampa really took the pressure off me,” he admitted.
With this win, India set up a blockbuster final against New Zealand on March 9 at the same venue. The two sides met earlier in the tournament, where India defeated the Blackcaps by 44 runs.
