Champions Trophy Flashback: Hardik Pandya’s Heroics Amidst India’s 2017 Final Defeat to Pakistan
The 2017 ICC Champions Trophy final remains one of the most unforgettable encounters between India and Pakistan. Held at The Oval on June 18, 2017, the match saw Pakistan dominate their arch-rivals, securing a historic 180-run victory to claim their maiden Champions Trophy title.
For Indian fans, it was a nightmare of missed opportunities and underwhelming performances. However, amidst the wreckage of defeat, one man stood tall—Hardik Pandya. His explosive batting in a hopeless situation showcased his potential as one of India’s most destructive finishers, and the match marked his arrival on the world stage.
India vs. Pakistan – A Dream Final with Unexpected Twists
An India-Pakistan final is always a blockbuster event in world cricket. India, the defending champions, entered the contest as favorites, having thrashed Pakistan by 124 runs in the group stage. With Virat Kohli leading a formidable squad, India was expected to dominate again.
However, Pakistan, captained by Sarfaraz Ahmed, had different plans. They regrouped brilliantly after their early setback in the tournament, defeating South Africa, Sri Lanka, and England en route to the final.
The match quickly turned into a tale of two contrasting performances: Pakistan’s fearless aggression and India’s unexpected collapse.
Fakhar Zaman and Pakistan’s Batting Masterclass
Batting first, Pakistan posted a massive 338/4 in 50 overs, their highest total against India in an ICC event. The star of the innings was Fakhar Zaman, who capitalized on a lifeline early in his innings.
Jasprit Bumrah’s No-Ball: A Turning Point
India had the perfect opportunity to strike early when Jasprit Bumrah induced an edge off Fakhar Zaman’s bat. MS Dhoni took a clean catch, and celebrations erupted—only for the third umpire to reveal that Bumrah had overstepped.
That moment turned out to be one of the biggest turning points in the final. Zaman, then on just 3 runs, went on to play the innings of his life, smashing 114 off 106 balls.
Pakistan’s Key Batting Performances
| Player | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate | 4s/6s |
| Fakhar Zaman | 114 | 106 | 107.54 | 12/3 |
| Azhar Ali | 59 | 71 | 83.09 | 6/1 |
| Babar Azam | 46 | 52 | 88.46 | 4/0 |
| Mohammad Hafeez | 57* | 37 | 154.05 | 4/3 |
A late blitz from Mohammad Hafeez (57 off 37 balls)* propelled Pakistan past the 330-run mark, setting up a daunting chase for India.
India’s Batting Collapse – A Nightmare Chase
Chasing 339, India’s famed batting lineup crumbled under pressure. Mohammad Amir delivered a sensational opening spell, dismantling India’s top order in quick succession.
Amir’s Magical Spell
- Rohit Sharma – 0 (3 balls) – Bowled by Amir
- Virat Kohli – 5 (9 balls) – Caught off Amir
- Shikhar Dhawan – 21 (22 balls) – Caught behind off Amir
At 33/3, the chase was already in ruins. The middle order, comprising Yuvraj Singh (22), MS Dhoni (4), and Kedar Jadhav (9), failed to stabilize the innings. India was reeling at 54/5 when Hardik Pandya walked in.
Hardik Pandya’s Breakout Performance – A Lone Warrior
Hardik Pandya took the attack to Pakistan with a fearless counterattack, blasting 76 runs off just 43 balls. His innings included six sixes and four boundaries, giving Indian fans a glimmer of hope.
Pandya’s Key Stats in the Final
- 76 runs off 43 balls
- Strike Rate: 176.74
- 6 sixes & 4 fours
- Fastest Fifty in Champions Trophy Final History (32 balls)
Pandya was the only Indian batsman to score over 30 runs in the match. His power-hitting rattled the Pakistani bowlers, who otherwise had complete control.
The Run-Out Mix-Up with Jadeja – The Final Blow
Just as Pandya was igniting hopes of a miracle, disaster struck. In the 26th over, with India at 152/6, a misunderstanding with Ravindra Jadeja resulted in Pandya’s run-out. Furious, Pandya stormed off, visibly frustrated, knowing he had been India’s last hope.
Later, Pandya expressed regret over his reaction:
“I apologized to Jadeja. It was just frustration. I’m not a bad guy, just an emotional one,” he admitted in an ICC interview.
Pakistan’s Dominance Seals a Historic Win
With Pandya’s dismissal, any lingering hopes for India faded. Hasan Ali wrapped up the innings, finishing with figures of 3/19 in 6.3 overs, as India was bowled out for 158 in 30.3 overs—their second-lowest total in a Champions Trophy final.
Pakistan’s Bowling Performance
| Bowler | Wickets | Overs | Economy |
| Mohammad Amir | 3 | 6 | 3.66 |
| Hasan Ali | 3 | 6.3 | 3.07 |
| Shadab Khan | 2 | 7 | 4.57 |
With this win, Pakistan clinched their first-ever ICC Champions Trophy title, while India was left to reflect on a missed opportunity.
Lessons from 2017 and the Road Ahead
The 2017 final was a painful reminder of how unpredictable cricket can be. It also showcased Hardik Pandya’s emergence as a match-winner, setting the stage for his future role as India’s premier all-rounder.
As India now prepares for the next ICC Champions Trophy, fans hope that the scars of 2017 will fuel a stronger, more resilient team. With a more experienced Pandya, India will be eager to reclaim an ICC trophy and erase the painful memories of that crushing defeat.
Can India turn the tables next time? Only time will tell.
