India’s rising stars and seasoned stalwarts erupted in celebration after scripting history with a thrilling four-wicket win over New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final in Dubai on Sunday.
The heartbreak of the 2017 final loss against Pakistan became a distant memory when Ravindra Jadeja struck the winning runs. Without even turning back to watch the ball race to the fence, the veteran all-rounder stretched his arms and blew flying kisses toward the dressing room.
A Dressing Room in Ecstasy
As the final runs were scored, Virat Kohli, watching from the dressing room, roared in joy and embraced assistant coach Abhishek Nayar. Head coach Gautam Gambhir, known for his intense demeanor, couldn’t contain his excitement as a bright smile lit up his face.
The celebrations only intensified as young pacers Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana sprinted towards Jadeja, recreating Virat’s famous ‘Gangnam Style’ celebration from India’s 2013 Champions Trophy triumph in Birmingham.
Virat and Rohit Sharma added their own flavor, playing ‘dandiya’ with the stumps, while Gambhir joined Navjot Singh Sidhu for some energetic bhangra moves. Hardik Pandya later joined Sidhu on the field for a dance performance that lit up the ground.
Heartwarming Gestures and Trophy Celebrations
In a touching moment, Arshdeep Singh gifted his helmet to a young fan in the stands, while Hardik recreated his famous T20 World Cup 2024 victory celebration.
As the long-awaited trophy-lifting moment arrived, Shreyas Iyer showed off his dance moves, mirroring Virat’s iconic celebration from the 2013 Champions Trophy win.
India’s Road to Glory
India’s victory was no cakewalk. The team had endured setbacks, including a 3-0 home Test series whitewash by New Zealand and losing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to Australia. These setbacks loomed large in the minds of players and fans.
Yet, the Men in Blue bounced back, storming into the final unbeaten. Memories of the 2023 ODI World Cup final loss lingered, but this time, India executed a flawless 252-run chase, etching its name in history once again.
With this Champions Trophy triumph, India adds yet another coveted title to its illustrious trophy cabinet, reaffirming its dominance in world cricket.