Indian star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has already set his sights on the 2026 T20 World Cup in India after winning the 2025 Champions Trophy title on Sunday. Pandya shone with both bat and ball across the tournament as India beat New Zealand by four wickets in the final in Dubai.
This was India’s third Champions Trophy title — perhaps one of the sweetest considering their massive 180-run defeat to arch-rivals Pakistan in the summit clash of the previous edition in 2017. There, Pandya had played a coming-of-age knock of 76 off 43 balls in the 339-run chase. But he got run-out and India collapsed to 158.
“[In] 2017, the work was left. You know I could not finish the job back then. And I am very very glad that tonight is the night where I can say that you know what, I am a champions trophy winner as well. So, sounds good I think.” Pandya told the ICC.
“For me it has always been about winning as many championships as I can. I did say when we won in 2024 that this is not done, I still need 5-6 more trophies there. I am very happy that one more is added. The most important thing in my life and my cricketing journey has always been about how I can make sure that my team can win.”
