After India’s glorious victory in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, key players from the squad, including captain Rohit Sharma, all-rounder Hardik Pandya, Shreyas Iyer, and head coach Gautam Gambhir, returned to India on Monday. The Indian team received a grand welcome upon their arrival, celebrating their title win in Dubai.
However, Hardik Pandya wasted no time and was seen heading straight to the Mumbai Indians (MI) camp, still dressed in the same outfit he wore at the airport, indicating his immediate shift of focus to the upcoming IPL 2025 season.
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Champions Trophy 2025 Final: India’s Historic Victory
India secured a four-wicket win over New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy final held at the Dubai International Stadium on March 9. The Men in Blue successfully chased down a 252-run target in 49 overs, with Rohit Sharma’s 76 off 83 balls playing a pivotal role. The Indian captain was named the Player of the Match, leading from the front in the high-pressure final.
Key Highlights of the Final:
- New Zealand’s innings: Posted 251 all out in 48.2 overs.
- India’s bowling performance: Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav were instrumental, picking crucial wickets.
- India’s chase: Rohit Sharma’s fifty anchored the innings, while Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer contributed with vital runs to seal the victory.
- Varun Chakravarthy’s impact: The mystery spinner finished as the joint second-highest wicket-taker of the tournament with nine wickets in just three matches.
Hardik Pandya shifts focus to IPL 2025
Just hours after returning from Dubai, Pandya joined the Mumbai Indians camp to begin preparations for the upcoming IPL 2025 season, where he will lead the franchise. With Mumbai Indians’ pre-season training already underway, Pandya’s quick transition from national duty to franchise commitments highlights his dedication to MI’s campaign this year.
The five-time champions Mumbai Indians will be looking to regain their dominance in IPL 2025, with Pandya leading a squad packed with talent, including Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma. With the tournament kicking off on March 22, MI fans are eagerly waiting to see their captain back in action.
