Hardik Pandya’s Bold Response on India’s Absence from Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025
India’s triumphant victory in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 sparked a major debate regarding their decision not to travel to Pakistan, the official host nation of the tournament. Following India’s title-winning performance, star all-rounder Hardik Pandya was asked about the Men in Blue’s absence from Pakistan. In his characteristic composed style, Pandya delivered a diplomatic yet sharp response, deflecting the controversy while acknowledging the enthusiasm of Pakistani fans.
India Clinches Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai
The Rohit Sharma-led Indian team lifted the Champions Trophy 2025 after defeating New Zealand by four wickets in a thrilling final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 9. With this win, India became the first team to claim the prestigious Champions Trophy title three times.
However, the tournament was overshadowed by political tensions as India refused to travel to Pakistan, citing security concerns. This led the International Cricket Council (ICC) to adopt a hybrid model, scheduling all of India’s matches in Dubai, while other teams played across multiple venues in Pakistan and the UAE.
Hardik Pandya’s Take on India Skipping Pakistan
Addressing the post-match press conference, Hardik Pandya was asked about India’s refusal to play in Pakistan. Rather than engaging in a heated debate, the all-rounder cleverly sidestepped the controversy, saying:
“I am sure Pakistani people living in Dubai must have enjoyed our performance. The question of why we didn’t go is way above my pay grade.”
His lighthearted yet diplomatic response subtly acknowledged the concerns while keeping the focus on cricket.
Allegations of Venue Advantage for India
Several former cricketers and analysts criticized India’s Dubai-only schedule, arguing that it provided an unfair advantage. Unlike other teams, which had to navigate complex travel schedules between Pakistan and the UAE, India played all its matches at a single venue.
Despite these allegations, India’s dominant performance throughout the tournament silenced critics, as they displayed exceptional form, culminating in a memorable title win.
Hardik Pandya’s Crucial Role in India’s Victory
Hardik Pandya played a pivotal role in India’s successful campaign, making valuable contributions with both bat and ball. Across five matches, he scored 99 runs and took four wickets, proving instrumental in India’s road to glory.
Speaking about his commitment to the team, Hardik emphasized his team-first mentality, saying:
“I have always played cricket to win. It doesn’t matter if Hardik Pandya does well or not, but the team must do well. This mindset has helped me face hardships and taught me not to run away from challenges. If challenges are tough, throw punches. Keep fighting. Don’t leave the battlefield.”
Avenging the 2017 Champions Trophy Final Loss
For Indian cricket fans, this victory was particularly special, as it marked redemption for their 2017 Champions Trophy final loss to Pakistan. Reflecting on that painful defeat, Pandya stated:
“Now that we have won, I can say that I have avenged that 2017 final loss. But eight years is a long time; a lot has happened. For me, India’s win is important. Fans back home are happy, and this is the best we can offer from our side.”
Conclusion
Hardik Pandya’s composed yet powerful response highlights his maturity as a cricketer. While the debate over India’s non-travel stance continues, the team’s stellar performance and well-deserved victory remain the talking point. With this historic triumph, India has once again reaffirmed its dominance in world cricket, lea
ving fans eager for future challenges.