India emerged victorious in the Champions Trophy, defeating New Zealand by six wickets in Dubai. This win secured India’s second Champions Trophy title, further establishing them as a leading white-ball cricket team. The tournament has prompted discussions about scheduling biases, met with mixed reactions from former players. India’s captain praised the team’s accomplishment, while New Zealand acknowledged their defeat.
A former Pakistan cricket player has criticized India following their Champions Trophy victory. India triumphed over New Zealand by six wickets in the final, securing the prestigious title for the second time. The effective performance of India’s spin bowlers—Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel—collectively limited New Zealand to a score of 251-7. Notably, Michael Bracewell contributed a valuable 53 runs to stabilize the innings after New Zealand faced early difficulties.
India’s openers, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, launched the innings with a solid 105-run partnership for the first wicket. Although India faced a minor setback by losing three wickets for just 17 runs within a span of seven balls, the team maintained control and completed their chase with six wickets in hand and six balls remaining. With this victory, India has now captured both the T20 World Cup and the Champions Trophy since their defeat in the 2023 World Cup final.
Despite India’s significant achievements, allegations of favoritism have emerged regarding their scheduling during the tournament. Due to the geopolitical tensions with Pakistan, India played all their matches in Dubai, eliminating the challenges associated with travel and providing a familiar playing surface. Former Pakistani bowler Junaid Khan remarked on social media about the nature of competition, suggesting that some teams rely on scheduling rather than skill.
Conversely, ex-Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar praised India’s performance, remarking, “The best team to emerge in ICC tournaments in the last 10 years is India. Congratulations to India. Thoroughly deserved.” After the victory, Indian captain Rohit Sharma expressed gratitude to the local crowd, emphasizing their support and the team’s excellent performance throughout the tournament.
Star batter Virat Kohli, despite not participating in the final, expressed pride in the emerging talents within the squad, underlining their contribution to Indian cricket’s forward momentum. New Zealand’s captain Mitchell Santner acknowledged India’s superior performance, stating, “The better team won… Credit to how they played, they’re world-class spin bowlers.”
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In conclusion, India’s recent Champions Trophy victory has sparked a mixture of criticism and commendation. While former Pakistani players have raised concerns over perceived scheduling advantages, others have acknowledged India as a dominant force in cricket. With their strong performances in both T20 and ODI formats, India solidifies its position as a leading team in international cricket, appreciated for their skill, teamwork, and the uplifting support from fans.
Original Source: metro.co.uk
