New Delhi: Following India's triumph in the ICC Champions Trophy, Hardik Pandya expressed his joy and reflected on the past, particularly the loss to Pakistan in the 2017 Champions Trophy, where he was run out while batting alongside Ravindra Jadeja. He emphasized his ambition to secure more ICC titles, aiming for an additional five to six trophies.
Pandya played a pivotal role in India's success during the ICC Champions Trophy, contributing significantly to the team's campaign. The tournament showcased numerous current and future stars, including Shubman Gill (188 runs in five matches with a century), Shreyas Iyer (243 runs in five games with two fifties), Axar Patel (109 runs in five matches with five wickets), KL Rahul (140 runs in five games at an average of 140.00), and Varun Chakravarthy (nine wickets), all of whom were instrumental in India's consecutive white-ball title victory.
"In 2017, I left the job unfinished. I couldn't complete it back then, and I am extremely happy that tonight I can call myself a champion's trophy winner. That feels great. For me, it's always been about winning as many championships as possible. I mentioned it after our 2024 win: the journey isn't over. I still need 5-6 more trophies. I'm excited to add another one to my collection," Hardik stated in a video shared by BCCI.
He also conveyed his desire for the team to succeed regardless of his individual performance, emphasizing the importance of collective victory.
"The most crucial aspect of my life and cricketing journey is ensuring my team can win. It brings me immense satisfaction and peace every time I step onto the field. Even if I don't contribute directly, seeing my team win is the most beautiful feeling I can have," he remarked.
Hardik commended his teammates for their exceptional performance and the class displayed by each player throughout the tournament.
All players stepped up and demonstrated their exceptional talent simultaneously, showcasing their unwavering belief. I truly appreciate matches like this, where everyone gives their all. I was representing India, I was representing Bharat. The Champions Trophy is behind us now, and my next objective is to win the ICC T20 World Cup in India and lift the trophy, he stated.
Pandya attributed the team's confidence and skill to their success against New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final, highlighting that it was a collective effort from the entire team.
