Team India has marched into yet another ICC final, and this time, fans are not surprised. And why should they be? This team is a cricketing juggernaut—one of the best in the world. With a formidable batting lineup, an arsenal of spinners who weave near-impenetrable webs, and a leader who has recently lifted a T20 World Cup, India looks unstoppable. Not to forget, they also have a chase master in red-hot form—thanks, in part, to Pakistan, who ensured he stayed warmed up during the later stages of the tournament.
But ask any Indian fan if they are worried, and you’ll likely get a no followed by a second thought.
Reaching the final was expected. No surprises there. For outsiders, this may seem like a massive achievement, but seasoned Indian cricket fans know that India’s tournament has always boiled down to just one match—the final. This is where history has not been kind to them. Yes, the triumph in Barbados last year, where India clinched the T20 World Cup, provided some redemption. But the heartbreak of the 2023 ODI World Cup final loss to Australia still lingers. And why wouldn’t it? India has played in eight ICC finals in various formats, yet they have only won three. Four have ended in defeats, while one was shared with Sri Lanka in 2002. Even in the Champions Trophy, India has reached the final three times but lifted the trophy just once—under the astute leadership of MS Dhoni in 2013. Not to forget the 2000 Champions Trophy final where India lost to the same opposition which they are set to face on Sunday.
So, does a single victory erase the past? Of course not. But this win could cement Rohit Sharma & Co.’s legacy as a team that not only dominated tournaments but also delivered when it mattered the most.
The silver lining? Their opponents don’t boast a stellar record in finals either. New Zealand has played in four ICC finals in this format and won just once—way back in 2000, ironically against India, in a nail-biting thriller in Nairobi. Since then, the Black Caps have often come agonizingly close, only to fall short at the final hurdle.
So, as the cricketing world gears up for yet another high-stakes showdown, the question remains—will India finally exorcise their past demons, or will New Zealand add another twist to their tale of unfinished business? One thing’s for sure: history will be made, one way or another.
This article is written by Siddharth Mathur. Siddharth is a passionate cricket lover and a prolific writer.
India’s Probable XI
Rohit Sharma, Subhman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, K.L. Rahhul, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana.
New Zealand’s Probable XI
Did you know?
- The Champions Trophy started as the ICC Knockout Cup in 1998.
- Since its beginning, 13 teams have played in the Champions Trophy, including lesser-known teams like Kenya and USA.
- The first-ever Champions Trophy in 1998 was won by South Africa. This remains the only ICC trophy won by their senior men’s team.
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