In a thrilling Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal encounter between Australia and India in Dubai, Hardik Pandya’s game-winning cameo was instrumental in guaranteeing India’s spot in the championship match. The all-rounder delivered a vital knock despite battling a twisted knee. Yograj Singh, a former Indian cricket player, gave Pandya a lot of credit for his powerful performance.
Hardik Pandya entered at a crucial juncture and was challenged to score 40 runs off of 42 balls. He seized charge by hitting two vital sixes in the 47th over, shifting the tide in India’s favor as the needed run rate increased. He contributed significantly to the Men in Blue’s victorious chase with an innings of 28 off 24 balls that included three sixes and a four.
Hardik Pandya made an attempt, but he was unable to see the pursuit through and left in the 48th over. Singh did, however, stress the value of supporting athletes who risk their lives for the team.
“In our nation, cricket is a religion. These athletes who sacrifice their blood and sweat for us should be picked up when they fall, comforted when they’re depressed, and lifted onto your shoulders when they’re unable to walk. Hardik had a twisted knee. He was unable to walk, yet he won the match nonetheless. People ought to take note of this. Whether they win or lose, people should remain optimistic. A player is permanently depressed if you continuously disparage him. According to the Lokmat Times, Yograj stated, “Hardik Pandya‘s knee got twisted today.”
That shot was needless, which makes me sad: Yograj Singh
Meanwhile, India once again prevailed in the chase with to Virat Kohli’s outstanding batting performance. The Delhi native led the team from 43/2 to within striking distance of the target with an 84-run inning.
Although Yograj praised Kohli’s performance, he also pointed out that the batting mainstay might have won the match on his own and that his departure was needless. In the Champions Trophy final, Team India will now play either South Africa or New Zealand after defeating Australia. The team will play the Kiwis in the top match, according to the former cricket player’s prediction.
“Virat can win a match. However, the fact that that shooting was needless makes me sad. He ought to have completed the game. To me, he is like a son. He could have scored a hundred runs, and it would have been in vain if India had lost. Today, he altered the game. To those who criticize Virat, Rohit Sharma, and Shubman Gill, I would like to say this: stop and support your child so that we can keep moving forward,” the former India cricket player went on.
“Today, India is in the finals. India will prevail in the final between them and New Zealand,” Yograj said.