By Amika
As Ravindra Jadeja flicked a boundary to register India’s emphatic win over New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy, 2025, India team members rushed on to the field to celebrate the moment. Even as the entire nation celebrated the victory, in Pune too in no time, thousands of Puneites too rushed out of their homes and on to the streets to celebrate India’s memorable victory.
Across Pune city and Pimpri-Chinchwad, scenes of jubilations were common. Crackers were burst, sweets were distributed and youngsters, including girls and women, danced with gay abandon. Youths drove two-wheelers with loud honking symbolising their their feeling of joy. Indeed Puneites were thrilled to the bits. Several youngsters were seen recording the joyous and historic moment on their cellphones.
Many citizens spoke about how they were nervous when two-three wickets fell in quick succession. ”I was really nervous when wickets started falling. The wicket Shubam Gill, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma fell quickly. And I thought India were heading for disaster,” said Dominic Lobo, a resident Sangvi.
Another fan Rishikesh Marale said,”India were crusing were well. Both Rohit and Gill had put up a decent total on board. Both looked solid. Suddenly, Gill fell to a nothing shot and then Virat like he did in the past fell again to the off side cut. And it seemed like India were in the corner. There was further shock as Rohit Sharma too fell. At this point, I thought India has a real fight on hand and might have to pull up all socks if it had to win. They did and we won an emphatic victory.”
India chased 252 to win primarily because of the 105 run partnership between Rohit Sharma and Shubhal Gill. In the end, it was K L Rahul, who has been under immense pressure to deliver over the past few months, and Hardik Pandya took India closer to victory. Though Hardik Pandya fell, Ravindra Jadeja walked in and accomplished the task with ease.
The partnership between Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel was also crucial. While Shreyas put on 48, Patel notched up 29 runs.
The Kiwis after a good start stumbled as they managed to reach 252 thanks to Daryl Mitchell and Micheal Bracewell, both of whom scored half centuries.
It was Glenn Phillips whose 34 of 52 deliveries and a partnership with Darly Mitchell established the Kiwi innings.
It was only after Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav were introduced, the Kiwis struggled to face the spin. The spinner applied brakes on the runs giving away only 144 runs in 38 overs.
When India started the innings, captain Rohit Sharma launched the reply in a befitting manner as he hit a six in the very first over. He reached his half century in just 41 balls. Rohit was severe on Nathan Smith whom he smashed for 14 runs in his first over.
Kuldeep Yadav especially made quick impact. He deceived Rachin Ravindra and then sent Kane Williamson packing. The New Zealand stuttered thereafter with a solitary boundary cocming in 81 balls.
