India’s Champions Trophy Win: A Dual Perspective from Former Players

India emerged victorious against New Zealand by six wickets in the Champions Trophy final. Former Pakistan players commented on the implications of tournament scheduling and India’s prowess. Indian captain Rohit Sharma and superstar Virat Kohli praised the team’s performance and talent, while New Zealand’s captain acknowledged India’s superiority.

A former Pakistan cricket player has expressed criticism towards India following their victory in the Champions Trophy. India triumphed over New Zealand by six wickets in the final match, marking their second win of the tournament. The Indian spin bowlers, consisting of Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel, collectively took five wickets for 144 runs, successfully limiting New Zealand to a score of 251 for seven.

Despite New Zealand’s chances of a lower total, Michael Bracewell made an impactful contribution with an unbeaten 53 runs off 40 balls. India’s opening batsmen, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, established a solid first-wicket partnership of 105 runs. Although India experienced a mini collapse, losing three wickets for just 17 runs, they ultimately completed the chase comfortably, finishing with six wickets and six balls remaining.

Following their recent successes, India has now clinched both the T20 World Cup and the Champions Trophy after being defeated in the World Cup final held in 2023. However, accusations regarding bias during the tournament were raised, particularly since India played all their matches in Dubai without the inconvenience of traveling, given the geopolitical tensions with Pakistan.

Former Pakistan bowler Junaid Khan remarked on the inconsistent nature of tournament scheduling, stating, “Some teams win by skill, some win by scheduling.” Conversely, Shoaib Akhtar, another distinguished cricketer from Pakistan, praised India, acknowledging their performance in ICC tournaments over the past decade. He expressed, “The best team to emerge in ICC tournaments in the last 10 years is India. Congratulations to India. Thoroughly deserved.”

Indicating the significance of their victory, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma commended his team and the enthusiastic Dubai crowd, which he felt contributed to a home-like atmosphere. He stated, “We’ve played some really good cricket throughout the tournament. The crowd has been magnificent.”

Virat Kohli, although absent during the final match, echoed similar sentiments about the young talent within the Indian team, remarking on their potential: “These guys are stepping up in a massive way and that’s why we’re such a strong team.”

In response, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner acknowledged India’s superiority by stating, “We fell short to a better team. Credit to how they played; they’re world-class spin bowlers.” He admitted that their total could have been higher, noting, “We were probably about 20 runs under what we wanted.”

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In summary, India’s recent Champions Trophy victory reignited discussions regarding fairness in scheduling and the impact of geopolitical factors on gameplay. While some former players expressed skepticism, others recognized India’s talent and deserved success. The match showcased India’s cricketing prowess and highlighted the competitive spirit of New Zealand, further enriching the narrative of international cricket.

Original Source: metro.co.uk