The ICC Champions Trophy final between India and New Zealand highlighted the significance of seizing pivotal moments in high-pressure games. TOI examines the key phases in the match…
Kuldeep’s twin strikes
New Zealand openers Rachin Ravindra and Will Young began with a bang, scoring 57 inside the first 8 overs and setting the tone. But things changed as soon as Rohit Sharma introduced Kuldeep Yadav into the attack immediately after the first Powerplay. Kuldeep’s impact was instant. His first delivery, a brilliantly disguised googly, deceived the in-form Ravindra. Expecting conventional turn, Ravindra misjudged the ball’s trajectory, resulting in it sneaking through the bat-pad gap and crashing into the stumps. This dismissal halted New Zealand’s momentum. Buoyed by the success, Kuldeep got the better of Kane Williamson too. In his next over, he delivered a flighted delivery that subtly stopped on Williamson, who attempted a forward push. The miscalculated shot led to a simple return catch to the bowler.
NZ go 81 balls without a boundary
After Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy dismissed New Zealand openers Rachin Ravindra and Will Young, the Indian spin quartet’s relentless accuracy stifled New Zealand’s scoring. Kane Williamson’s dismissal marked the onset of a boundary drought for the Kiwis. For 81 consecutive balls, spanning over 13 overs, New Zealand’s batsmen struggled to pierce the field, unable to find the ropes. This period underscored India’s dominance and New Zealand’s mounting pressure.
Varun’s dismissal of Phillips
Glenn Phillips, who scored a 34 off 52 deliveries, tried to stabilize the Black Caps innings during a partnership with Daryl Mitchell. In the 38th over, Phillips showcased his intent by pulling a short delivery from Varun Chakravarthy towards deep square leg. Undeterred, Chakravarthy recalibrated his strategy. Off the very next ball, he delivered a googly that drifted in from outside off stump. Phillips, anticipating a conventional leg-spin, attempted an aggressive shot but was deceived by the sharp turn. The ball sneaked through the gap between bat and pad, crashing into the stumps. Phillips’ dismissal left New Zealand at 165/5 after 37.5 overs. This pivotal moment ensured the Kiwis couldn’t accelerate in the end overs.
Rohit Sharma’s whirlwind start
Rohit Sharma delivered a scintillating innings that set the tone for India’s pursuit of 252. Rohit showcased his aggressive intent from the outset, reaching a rapid half-century off just 41 balls. His dominance was evident as he consistently found gaps and cleared the infield with ease, unsettling the New Zealand new-ball bowlers Kyle Jamieson and Will ‘O Rourke. As Black Caps skipper Mitchell Santner introduced Nathan Smith, Rohit took the medium pacer for 14 runs in the 8th over. Partnering with Shubman Gill, Rohit established a formidable opening stand of 105 runs. Rohit’s aggressive approach ensured that rest of the Indian batters didn’t have to face run-rate pressure when the Kiwi spinners were making their life difficult during the middle overs.
Shreyas Iyer‘s middle-overs manoeuvring
Entering the crease after the dismissal of Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer faced immediate pressure as New Zealand’s spinners, particularly Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell, were on top of their game. Demonstrating remarkable composure, Iyer employed a blend of solid defence and calculated aggression. He adeptly used his feet to counter the spin, frequently stepping out to negate the bowlers’ length. He skillfully maneuvred shorter balls into gaps, ensuring a steady flow of singles and doubles. A standout moment occurred in the 21st over when Iyer executed a precise pull shot off Santner, sending the ball to the boundary and reigniting the momentum for India. Iyer’s masterful handling of New Zealand’s spinners was instrumental in stabilizing India’s innings during a critical phase.
Rahul’s finishing touches
There were some tense moments after Axar Patel’s dismissal with India at 203/4. KL Rahul, exhibiting remarkable poise, anchored the innings during this critical phase. Rahul’s strategy combined cautious defence with opportunistic strokeplay, ensuring the scoreboard kept ticking without unnecessary risks. Even as Hardik Pandya was dismissed, Rahul remained steadfast, exemplifying resilience under pressure. Rahul remained unbeaten on 34, underscoring his adaptability and calm demeanour under high-pressure circumstances. His finishing touches secured India their third CT title.
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