Champions Trophy
Table of Contents
In the highly anticipated 2017 ICC Champions Trophy final, the stage was set for a showdown between two cricketing giants: India and Pakistan. The historic rivalry between these two nations always promises fireworks, and this match was no different. But on this occasion, it was Virat Kohli who would steal the show, guiding India to a dominant victory with a stellar knock, powering them to their second ICC Champions Trophy title.
Pakistan’s Roller-Coaster Ride to the Final
Pakistan’s journey to the final was one of the most surprising stories of the tournament. They were seen as the underdogs, having lost to India by a massive margin in their opening match of the tournament. However, under the leadership of Sarfaraz Ahmed, Pakistan managed to regroup. They bounced back strongly in their next matches, defeating South Africa and Sri Lanka in impressive fashion. In the semifinal, they faced off against England, the host nation, and stunned the cricket world by securing a resounding victory to book their spot in the final.
Despite their spirited performances, few expected Pakistan to topple the mighty Indians in the final, given India’s rich history in ICC events, their dominant record in recent times, and the individual brilliance of players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Shikhar Dhawan.
India’s Dominance in the Group Stages
India, on the other hand, arrived at the final as clear favorites. Under the leadership of Virat Kohli, India had been in sensational form throughout the tournament. Their opening match against Pakistan was a clinical performance, where they bowled Pakistan out for a paltry total and chased down the target with ease. India followed that up with victories against Sri Lanka and South Africa, showcasing their all-around strengths in both batting and bowling departments. By the time they entered the final, India had a confident air about them, buoyed by their previous successes in ICC events, particularly their triumphs in the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup, 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, and 2013 ICC Champions Trophy.
The Final: Pakistan’s Unpredictability Meets India’s Brilliance
The Champions Trophy final took place at The Oval in London, a ground that has seen many memorable cricketing moments. Pakistan won the toss and elected to field first, a decision that was met with a degree of skepticism, especially given the batting firepower in the Indian lineup.
From the outset, Pakistan’s bowlers struggled to get a grip on the game. India’s opening pair, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan, got off to a solid start, albeit with a few early scares. Their partnership was beginning to grow before Rohit fell for a cautious 10 runs, giving Pakistan a slight opening. However, that momentary optimism was quickly dashed as Virat Kohli walked out to bat.
Virat Kohli’s Masterclass
As Kohli strode to the crease, the tension in the air was palpable. The spotlight was on him, and he responded with a batting display that reaffirmed why he is regarded as one of the best batsmen in the world. From the very first ball he faced, Kohli seemed in complete control of the situation. The elegance with which he timed the ball, the precision in his footwork, and his ability to rotate the strike with ease were evident from the outset.
Kohli’s partnership with Shikhar Dhawan was a crucial one. The two batsmen complemented each other well, with Dhawan playing an anchoring role while Kohli took charge, picking off boundaries and rotating the strike effortlessly. Kohli’s strokes were nothing short of exquisite – the cover drives, the pull shots, and the flicks off the pads – each stroke served as a testament to his world-class technique. He was in full flow, seemingly unfazed by the pressure of a final or the fiery Pakistan bowlers.
One of the most memorable moments of the innings came when Kohli pulled out an audacious cover drive off Mohammad Amir, signaling to everyone watching that he was in the mood to dominate. He had already found his rhythm, and Pakistan had no answer to his brilliance.
While Dhawan was dismissed for 28, Kohli continued his assault on Pakistan’s bowlers. His partnership with Yuvraj Singh further consolidated India’s position. Though Yuvraj was dismissed early for a duck, it hardly slowed down Kohli’s momentum.
As the Indian innings progressed, the number of dot balls diminished, and boundaries kept coming. The Pakistan bowlers, who had already shown signs of vulnerability throughout the tournament, simply could not find a way to stop Kohli. He continued to anchor the innings, playing shots all around the ground, before bringing up his fifty with a trademark flick.
The highlight of the innings was Kohli’s aggressive approach, mixed with his ability to maintain composure under pressure. With India losing wickets at the other end, including the dismissals of MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, and Kedar Jadhav, Kohli’s role became even more crucial. It was clear that he was the linchpin of the Indian innings, and his presence at the crease was the difference between India reaching a commanding total and falling short.
Kohli’s partnership with Ravindra Jadeja further sealed the deal for India. As the match progressed towards its final stages, Kohli’s calm and calculated knock allowed India to finish with a formidable total of 180/2 in 30.3 overs, a total that was far too much for Pakistan to chase.
Pakistan’s Disastrous Chase
Set a daunting target, Pakistan’s chase never got off the ground. Indian bowlers, led by the ever-dependable Mohammad Shami, made early breakthroughs. Fakhar Zaman, the hero of Pakistan’s semifinal victory, was dismissed cheaply, and the middle order collapsed under pressure. Imad Wasim, Shoaib Malik, and Sarfaraz Ahmed all struggled to build any partnerships. The pressure was mounting, and Pakistan seemed completely out of their depth against a clinical Indian side.
While a late flurry of runs from Mohammad Amir and a few other lower-order batters provided brief hope, Pakistan’s chase quickly fizzled out. India’s bowlers, led by Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, were relentless, and it didn’t take long for Pakistan to be bowled out for just 158 runs. India had secured a comfortable win by 180 runs, securing their second Champions Trophy title.
Kohli’s Impact: A Captain’s Performance
While the Indian bowlers played their part, it was Kohli’s masterclass with the bat that stood out as the defining moment of the final. His knock of 77 not out off 58 balls was a display of pure class, and it was a timely reminder of his stature in world cricket. Kohli’s leadership, his ability to remain calm under pressure, and his immense talent were all on full display.
In the aftermath of the win, Kohli was lauded for his performance as both a captain and a batsman. His contribution was invaluable, and his captaincy was key to India’s success in the tournament. India’s win over Pakistan was a statement of their dominance in world cricket, with Kohli leading from the front.
Conclusion: A Kohli Masterstroke
India’s triumph in the 2017 Champions Trophy final was built on a collective team effort, but it was Virat Kohli’s brilliance that guided them home. His contribution with the bat, his leadership, and his calm demeanor under pressure proved to be the deciding factors in India’s comfortable victory over Pakistan. This was yet another chapter in the ever-growing legacy of Kohli, a player who continues to redefine the standards of excellence in modern-day cricket.
