DUBAI, 10 March 2025 (BSS/AFP) – India triumphed over New Zealand by four wickets in the Champions Trophy final on Sunday in Dubai. AFP Sport examines five key storylines from the 50-over tournament.
– Kohli silences his critics –
Virat Kohli put to rest concerns over his recent struggles in Test cricket with an unbeaten century against arch-rivals Pakistan.
Taking time to settle on a sluggish Dubai pitch, Kohli anchored India’s pursuit of 242 with crucial partnerships. His masterful approach, combining strike rotation with well-timed aggression, guided India to victory with six wickets in hand and 45 balls remaining.
Kohli had also played a pivotal role in India’s semi-final triumph over Australia, scoring a vital 84 in another successful chase.
Australian captain Steve Smith hailed the 36-year-old as “arguably the best chaser the game has ever seen”.
– Pakistan’s homecoming disappointment –
Pakistan hosted a major cricket tournament for the first time in three decades, and anticipation was at fever pitch despite India’s refusal to tour, which led to their matches being played in Dubai instead.
However, Pakistan’s lacklustre performance on the field quickly dampened the nation’s spirits. Consecutive defeats to New Zealand and India ended their title defence prematurely.
Adding insult to injury, their final group match against Bangladesh, now a dead rubber, was washed out.
One disheartened fan likened the tournament to “a wedding where you don’t know the bride or groom”.
– Superman Phillips –
New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips dazzled with his fielding exploits, particularly against India in the group stage when he pulled off a spectacular catch to dismiss Kohli.
Diving full stretch to his right at backward point, Phillips plucked the ball out of the air off Matt Henry’s bowling, sending Kohli back for just 11.
The Indian maestro stood in disbelief before trudging back to the pavilion, while the Dubai crowd fell silent. Social media erupted with praise, with one user on X dubbing Phillips “the Superman of the tournament”.
– England skipper Buttler steps down –
Jos Buttler’s England entered the tournament on the back of a 3-0 ODI series defeat in India. Despite amassing a colossal 351 in their opener against Ashes rivals Australia, they still succumbed to a successful chase.
A subsequent loss to Afghanistan sealed England’s early exit after just two matches.
Two days later, Buttler announced his resignation as England’s white-ball captain, following a string of ICC tournament failures, including unsuccessful T20 and 50-over World Cup title defences.
– Smith retires, Rohit stays on –
Veteran Australian batsman Steve Smith, 35, announced his retirement from ODI cricket a day after his team’s semi-final defeat to India.
Smith top-scored for Australia with 73, but his valiant effort proved futile as India successfully chased down 264. His knock ultimately became his last in the format.
In contrast, speculation was rife that India’s captain Rohit Sharma would also call time on his one-day career if they emerged victorious in the final.
However, after scoring a match-winning 76, Rohit dismissed retirement rumours, declaring that he was “not going anywhere”. His decision left the Indian media surprised and the fans elated.
Additional Context:
The Champions Trophy’s return after an eight-year hiatus had generated immense excitement, with the tournament serving as a crucial preparatory ground ahead of the 2027 Cricket World Cup. India’s victory further cemented their dominance in white-ball cricket, while England’s struggles hinted at an urgent need for restructuring. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s inability to capitalise on home advantage has reignited debates over their team’s consistency on the big stage.
