Indian Cricket Team Advances to Champions Trophy Final Amid Pakistan’s Exit

India, led by Rohit Sharma, defeated Australia in the Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal, securing a place in the final against the winner of South Africa versus New Zealand. With Pakistan knocked out early, the final is set to occur in Dubai, igniting a wave of mockery on social media, particularly from Indian fans and Harsh Goenka.
In a recent development, the Indian cricket team, led by skipper Rohit Sharma, triumphed over Australia by four wickets in the semifinal of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 held in Dubai. Consequently, it has been confirmed that the final match will take place in Dubai rather than in Pakistan, the original host country.
Harsh Goenka, Chairman of RPG Enterprises, publicly criticized Pakistan following this outcome. He remarked on social media platform X, questioning, “Neither is Pakistan in the final, nor is the final in Pakistan. Poetic justice?” This sentiment resonated with many Indian fans, who subsequently took to social media to express their derision toward Pakistan’s early exit from the tournament.
India’s success can be attributed to notable performances by players such as Virat Kohli, who scored 84 runs, along with KL Rahul’s unbeaten 42 and Hardik Pandya’s crucial 28. This victory marks India’s entry into the Champions Trophy final for the third consecutive time.
The final is set to be contested on March 9 against the winner of the semifinal between South Africa and New Zealand. The announcements have led to various remarks online, sarcastically noting the disconnect between Pakistan’s hosting role and their exit.
Some comments included speculations about the final being far removed from Pakistan, further highlighting the embarrassment and economic repercussions faced by the country. As a user noted, despite the Champions Trophy being hosted in Pakistan, the national team did not progress, reflecting a significant negative impact on the event’s prestige and financial outcomes.
Pakistan’s exit was confirmed after they lost to both New Zealand and India in their initial matches of the tournament, culminating in their early elimination from contention.
The Indian cricket team’s victory over Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal has significant implications for the tournament, particularly for Pakistan, which will no longer host the final. The reactions from social media users and Harsh Goenka illustrate a pronounced sentiment of mockery toward Pakistan’s inability to advance in their own hosted event. With the final scheduled for Dubai, the consequences of this sporting event will likely resonate beyond the cricketing community, reflecting on Pakistan’s reputation and financial interests in the international sporting arena.
Original Source: www.livemint.com