India defeated New Zealand by four wickets to lift the Champions Trophy 2025.
The Men in Blue were at the receiving end of an 180-run defeat in the Champions Trophy 2017 final against arch-rivals Pakistan at the Oval, where Hardik played a valiant knock of 76 in 43 balls.
"Always amazing to win an ICC event. I remember 2017 very closely, couldn't finish that time. Very pleased to have done it here," Hardik, who contributed significantly to India's title triumph on Sunday, told the official broadcaster.
Set a target of 252 by New Zealand, India rode on skipper Rohit Sharma’s 76 and crucial contributions from Shreyas Iyer (48) and KL Rahul (34*) to get over the line with four wickets in hand and an over to spare.
Hardik was also full of praise for wicketkeeper-batter Rahul, who stayed till the end despite the wickets falling around him. "KL was calm, he took his chances at the right time. He has immense talent, no one can time it as well as him."
Rahul, who came to the crease in the 39th over after Shreyas Iyer’s dismissal, said he was always confident of getting the job done.
"As confident as I could be that I could get over the line. Keeping composure is all that matters, happy to have done it this time. I've batted in times like this in three out of the five games," Rahul stated.
"Hard to put in words, but the team has pure skill. The way we've all had to play cricket growing up, we faced pressure from the time we became professional cricketers. The BCCI have groomed all of them and we've challenging ourselves to get better," he further remarked.
Mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, Rohit's trump card in the tournament with nine wickets in three matches, called it a dream-come-true moment for him.
"It was a sudden inclusion (on being part of the XI from the league match against New Zealand), I didn't expect to turn out like this, a dream come true. The spin was less in the first innings and I had to be disciplined, just stick to the basics," Chakaravarthy said.
With this victory, India further cemented their status as the most successful team in Champions Trophy history, winning the showpiece event without dropping a game.
Opener Shubman Gill, who started the eight-team tournament with a century against Bangladesh, expressed his awe for captain Rohit’s free-flowing batting that has often set the tempo for the team.
"Felt amazing. For the most time, I sat back and enjoyed Rohit's batting. He told me doesn't matter how the scoreboard gap is, the aim was to bat till the end. We missed out in 2023, happy to win eight ODIs back to back.
"Seeing the intensity with which he plays with is amazing. He keeps telling us to give it everything and backs it up. New Zealand are very consistent and execute plans accurately. We know they give it their all. They showed it tonight with the consistency," Gill said.
Veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who claimed one wicket and scored valuable 9* runs in the final, expressed his delight at this triumph.
"That is how it is with me; sometimes a hero, sometimes a zero. The wicket was not easy for a new batter. Hardik and KL were great. Winning the Champions Trophy is a huge thing. If you don't win a big tournament after playing so long, it hurts," said Jadeja, who hit the winning runs.
Shreyas Iyer, who lent solidity to the middle order with his calculated batting, was immensely satisfied with his maiden ICC tournament win.
“This is my first ICC trophy, kind of overwhelmed looking at each and everyone in the dressing room. I love to go under pressure, I thrive. Not able to get a big one (in the final) but immensely satisfying to contribute to win. These are the lucky earrings, they'll stay on," the stylish batter said.
Wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who got the prized scalps of Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson in the title clash, said managing four spinners in a playing XI is not an easy job.
"It is easy to say that four spinners in the team, but it is very tough to manage four spinners. There was a lot of planning and all credit to Rohit bhai. Big party tonight," Kuldeep said.
"Luckily my batting wasn't needed. KL and Hardik did brilliantly. I don't believe in favourites tags but we have been doing brilliantly. This win is dedicated to our fans."
(With PTI Inputs)