The bells have tolled for Rohit Sharma for the past six months. But India’s captain says he is here for the long haul. In fact, he silenced the ringing of the bells in the Dubai desert with a classy innings to pilot India to the Champions Trophy.
Fireworks lit up the skies above Dubai’s International Stadium after India rode to a four-wicket victory over New Zealand who put up a brave fight before bowing down with six balls to go. India and Australia entered this tournament as joint-favourites but a below-strength Australia without its front-line pace bowlers, went out in the first round. India, on the other hand, was brilliant in all aspects of the game and was deservedly crowned champion. But many believe its victory reeks of favouritism, thanks to the spineless International Cricket Council, the governing body of the game.
One cannot take anything away from Sharma’s outstanding squad but the way this tournament was organized will definitely open the eyes of the Test-playing nations who should press for more transparency for the way the ICC conducts its business.
Things took an unexpected turn since the ICC handed Pakistan the opportunity of hosting its first major tournament in 29 years. All applauded the decision but at the last possible minute India, on orders from its government, made it clear it would only compete on the condition it could play its matches in another country. That meant all matches involving India would be hosted by the United Arab Republic and that included the money-spinning semi and final if India progressed that far. This was a severe financial body blow to the organizing country. This was the time the ICC should have put its foot down and censured India. But this is apparently not feasible as a significant portion of ICC’s income — reportedly as much as 80 per cent — comes from India. FIFA, the governing body of soccer, has often suspended countries if there is any government interference. Unfortunately, the second-most popular sport behind soccer doesn’t have the guts to punish offending teams, especially India.
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This change in plans allowed India to stay in one hotel during the duration of the competition while New Zealand and South Africa covered more that 7,000 kilometres travelling to matches between Dubai and three venues in Pakistan.
India’s preferred advantage was a constant topic of discussion during the two-week long competition but thankfully the teams did not raise the issue. But for how long will this problem persist before it comes to a head and bites the ICC where it hurts?
Another disgraceful scene played out at the post-celebration presentation. There wasn’t one representative of host nation Pakistan on stage. Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi was absent nor was tournament director Sumair Khan, the chief operating officer for PCB. While Naqvi did not travel to Dubai for the final, why was Khan not on stage? Pakistan has forwarded a letter asking the ICC for an explanation as to why Sumair was excluded. One can expect this letter to find itself in the waste paper basket, or Pakistan will receive an apology blaming an official for the oversight.
Back to a tournament that produced runs galore, first-class bowling and unbelievable acrobatic catches by New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips and Kane Williamson that will be talked about for ages.
In the final underdog New Zealand won the toss and decided to bat first and put up 251 for seven off its 50 overs with Daryl Mitchell topping the scoring with 63 and Michael Bracewell contributing an unbeaten 53. The Kiwis started off well before India’s ace spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy slowed them down. India got off to a flying start with skipper Sharma launching into a brutal assault in which he clobbered three sixes and seven boundaries in his 76-run knock and with Shubman Gill hoisted 105 for the first wicket. Sharma showed he meant business when he slapped the second delivery of the match off 6-foot-9 speedster Kyle Jamieson for a six. But the Kiwis led by skipper Mitchell Santner, Bracewell and Ravindra reeled in the Indian onslaught. Then the consistent Shreyas Iyer (48), Axar Patel (29) and the ever-dependable K.L. Rahul (34 not out) stepped in to guide India to its third Champions Trophy. Since being beaten in the 2023 World Cup by Australia, the men in blue have been on a tear and the Champions Trophy victory was its first since 2013.
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Two innings that will long be remembered are those of Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran who flayed England for 177 in a surprise win while Ben Duckett carved out 165 in a losing cause for England versus Australia. In all there were 14 centuries scored with New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra slamming a couple – 112 versus Bangladesh and 108 versus South Africa in the semis for a total of 263 in four innings. No wonder all-rounder Ravindra was crowned player of the tournament. And on a sorry note two skippers stepped down — Australia’s Steve Smith and England’s Jos Buttler. Now all eyes will turn to the Indian Premier League that starts in a couple of weeks.
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