These Indian players registered 50-plus scores in Champions Trophy finals
What's the story
Rohit Sharma led India to their third ICC Champions Trophy title on March 9, with a stellar performance in the final. The 37-year-old scored 76 runs as India successfully chased down a target of 252 against New Zealand in Dubai. With this, Rohit became only the fourth captain to have recorded a 50-plus score in a Champions Trophy final. Meanwhile, here we look at Indian players with 50-plus scores in CT finals.
#1
Sourav Ganguly: 117 vs NZ, 2000
Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly entered the record books in the 2000 Champions Trophy final, which took place in Nairobi, Kenya. He smashed a 130-ball 117 against New Zealand, guiding India to 264/6 in 50 overs. This was his second successive hundred which was laced with nine fours and four sixes. However, Chris Cairns's incredible 102*(113) helped NZ chase down the total in the final over. To date, Ganguly remains the only captain with a ton in the CT final.
#2
Sachin Tendulkar: 69 vs NZ, 2000
Ganguly was well supported by his opening partner Sachin Tendulkar in the aforementioned 2000 CT final. He made 69 off 83 balls with the help of 10 fours and a maximum as the opening duo added 141 runs. This continues to be the highest opening stand in CT finals. However, the Kiwi bowlers bounced back as India finished at 264/6. In a thrilling chase, NZ (265/6) prevailed with just two balls to spare.
#3
Hardik Pandya - 76 vs Pakistan, 2017
The Men in Blue again met Pakistan in the 2017 CT final and suffered a shocking 180-run defeat at The Oval. The margin of Pakistan's victory would have been even higher had Hardik Pandya not scored a fiery 43-ball 76 (4 fours, 6 sixes). Notably, India were reduced to 5/54 while chasing 339 when Pandya arrived to bat. He single-handedly took on the bowlers and played some stunning shots. No other Indian could touch the 25-run mark in the game.
#4
Rohit Sharma: 76 vs NZ, 2025
Notably, Rohit created history by becoming the first-ever captain to win a 'Player of the Match' award in a Champions Trophy final. In the low-scoring match against New Zealand at Dubai International Stadium, he scored a brilliant 76 runs off 83 balls. His innings comprised seven boundaries and three sixes that helped India chase down a target set at 252 runs. He added 105 runs with Shubman Gill for the opening wicket.