DUBAI: India clinched the Champions Trophy title, defeating New Zealand by four wickets in a thrilling final in Dubai. The tournament witnessed major moments, from Virat Kohli’s resurgence to Steve Smith’s retirement.
Key Storylines from the Tournament:
Kohli Silences Critics with Vintage Performances
- Virat Kohli proved his critics wrong with a match-winning unbeaten 100 against Pakistan, anchoring India’s chase of 242.
- He followed it up with a crucial 84 in the semi-final against Australia, reinforcing his reputation as one of the best chasers in the game.
- Australia’s Steve Smith hailed Kohli as “arguably the best chaser the game has seen.”
Pakistan’s Homecoming Ends in Disappointment
- Despite hosting its first major cricket event in 30 years, Pakistan failed to impress.
- Back-to-back losses against New Zealand and India ended their title defense early.
- Their final group match against Bangladesh was washed out, adding to the frustration.
New Zealand’s ‘Superman’ Phillips Stuns Kohli
- Glenn Phillips grabbed the spotlight with his spectacular catch to dismiss Kohli for 11 in the group stage.
- His full-stretch dive at backward point left Kohli stunned and social media buzzing.
- A fan on X (formerly Twitter) called Phillips “the Superman of the tournament.”
Jos Buttler Resigns as England Captain
- England entered the tournament after a 3-0 ODI series defeat in India.
- They posted 351 against Australia in their opener but still lost, followed by an upset defeat to Afghanistan.
- England’s early exit prompted Jos Buttler to step down as white-ball captain after three successive ICC event failures.
Steve Smith Retires, Rohit Sharma Stays On
- Steve Smith (35) retired from ODIs a day after Australia’s semi-final loss to India, finishing with a valiant 73.
- Intense speculation surrounded Rohit Sharma’s future, but after scoring 76 in the final, he declared he’s not retiring, leaving Indian fans relieved.
India’s victory marks another major milestone in their white-ball dominance, while the tournament also saw dramatic exits and transitions in world cricket.
