Team India are currently in Dubai preparing for their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final which will take place on March 9 at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai. The Men in Blue are unbeaten in the whole tournament, they faced Australia in their semifinal clash to seal their berth for the title decider.
After Virat Kohli's 84-run knock, India star all-rounder Hardik Pandya played a cameo in the semifinal that helped India to register a four-wicket win against Australia. Hardik joined KL Rahul after Kohli's wicket and scored 28 off 24 balls and his knock includes three sixes and a four. He smashed two consecutive sixes on Adam Zampa. After smashing a boundary in the 48th over, Hardik lost his wicket as Maxwell picked a catch, when India were on 259 in the run chase of 264. After getting out, Hardik was seen smiling while going back to the dressing room.
In a video shared by BCCI, Axar Patel asked Hardik why he was smiling at that time, he revealed that he was smiling because he knows that the dressing room will be tense.
"2 Chakke marne hai wo kabhi bhi lagenge. Mujhe pta tha (I had to hit 2 sixes and I knew that I can hit them anytime)" said Hardik.
"I didn't think of hitting 2-6 balls. And I never thought what would happen inside. What would be the atmosphere of the dressing room? I knew people would be a little tensed inside. So I was laughing a little inside" added Hardik.
India's mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy also reacted after India's win by hailing Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul and Hardik for their superb knock against Australia.
"What a chase it was by the chase master Virat Kohli. Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul played superbly, Hardik with some excellent sixes".
KL Rahul, who was unbeaten against Australia, also revealed that Hardik's consecutive sixes on Adam Zampa's ball removed pressure from him.
"the way Hardik Pandya hit those crucial sixes, it took the pressure off me".
Team India will face New Zealand in their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final at the same venue on March 9. India and New Zealand have already faced each other in the ongoing tournament during their third league match where The Men in Blue defeated Blackcaps by 44 runs.
