New Delhi: India made history by defeating New Zealand in the final to claim the ICC Champions Trophy. The victory was significant, as the Men in Blue successfully chased down a target of 252 runs with four wickets remaining. India completed the tournament without losing a match, demonstrating their strong performance in this format. This triumph marked the end of India’s long quest for the ICC 50-over title. Led by Rohit Sharma, the team had previously come close in the ODI World Cup 2023 but fell to Australia in the final. They avenged that loss by defeating Australia in the semifinals. The atmosphere in Dubai was celebratory as the Indian players marked their Champions Trophy victory.
A video capturing the celebrations in India gained popularity on social media, showing pacer Mohammed Shami leaving the stage as his teammates celebrated by spraying champagne, a typical practice for teams after a victory. The reason for Shami’s departure is not clear, but social media users speculated that it was related to his religious beliefs, as alcohol is forbidden in Islam.
Shami spearheaded India’s bowling unit in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, finishing as one of the team’s top wicket-takers with nine dismissals, tied with Varun Chakravarthy. Recently, he faced criticism for not observing a fast during Ramadan while playing in the semifinal against Australia. However, many supporters defended Shami, emphasizing that he prioritized his country’s interests.
The Videopic.twitter.com/NnEtw4AXys https://t.co/YA04UmfWiR
— زماں (@Delhiite_) March 9, 2025
India’s victory in the Champions Trophy marked their third title in the tournament. In 2002, they shared the trophy with Sri Lanka due to a rain-affected final, and in 2013, they secured the title under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy. They reached the final again in 2017 but lost to Pakistan. With this latest win in the ICC Champions Trophy, India has achieved two consecutive ICC titles, having won the T20 World Cup the previous year.
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