The Champions Trophy 2025 has been a blockbuster—thrilling matches, off-field chaos, heartbreaks, and a final that has every cricket fan waiting in anticipation. From Kohli proving he’s still the king, to England’s nightmare campaign, to Pakistan’s tournament unraveling, this one had everything.

And now, we’re down to two teams: India and New Zealand. But before the grand finale, let’s rewind and relive the best, worst, and most bizarre moments of the past two weeks. Because trust me, this tournament has given us plenty to talk about.

India’s Domination Continues

At this point, it’s almost expected—India in an ICC final, again.

2023 World Cup? Finalists.
2024 T20 World Cup? Winners.
2025 Champions Trophy? One step away from the trophy.

This Indian team has made it a habit of reaching the big stage. Three white-ball ICC finals in a row. They’ve been clinical, composed, and absolutely ruthless on their way to yet another shot at silverware.

King Kohli’s Masterclass

Virat Kohli. The man, the myth, the legend. Just when you think he’s peaked, he decides to go full beast mode again.

100* vs Pakistan in a high-stakes game.
84 vs Australia in the semis to get India over the line.
Fastest to 14,000 ODI runs, taking 63 innings fewer than even Sachin Tendulkar.

At this point, Kohli isn’t just playing cricket, he’s writing history. This tournament has been yet another reminder that when it comes to ICC events, Virat Kohli is built different.

Flag Fiasco & A National Anthem Blunder

The action wasn’t just on the field—off it, things got bizarre.

First, India’s flag was missing from Karachi’s National Stadium. A mistake? A message? Who knows, but it sure got people talking.

Then, just when we thought that was the biggest blunder, organizers accidentally played India’s national anthem before an England vs. Australia game.

Cue awkward stares, confusion, and PCB demanding answers from the ICC. Someone definitely had a very bad day at work after that.

England’s Nightmare Tournament

While England’s commentators were debating whether India had an “unfair advantage” by playing all their games in Dubai, their own team was having a full-blown disaster class.

Three matches. Three losses.
A shock defeat to Afghanistan that sent cricket Twitter into a meltdown.
Their first Champions Trophy group-stage exit in nearly two decades.

This was England’s worst ICC tournament in years, and let’s just say… their post-mortem analysis is going to be brutal.

Pakistan’s Tournament to Forget

Defending champions. Home conditions. Huge expectations. But for Pakistan, this campaign went from bad to worse.

Losing to India in a high-pressure game hurt. Failing to even reach the semi-finals? Devastating.

And then came the drama off the field. Former Pakistan coach Jason Gillespie decided to stir the pot, calling his successor Aaqib Javed a "clown." The PCB stayed silent, but the cricketing world? Not so much.

To top it all off, Lahore was supposed to host the final, but after all the chaos, Dubai got the nod instead. And that? Probably hurt more than the early exit.

A Security Scare That Had Everyone on Edge

Amidst all the cricketing drama, there was a real, serious moment.

Reports of a terrorist attack threat had teams under heavy security, and ICC officials weren’t taking any chances. Extra security measures were immediately put in place to ensure the tournament continued without disruption.

Thankfully, nothing materialized, but it was a stark reminder of the challenges of hosting international cricket in certain regions.

The Final Awaits – India vs. New Zealand

And now, we’ve arrived at the final showdown.

India, looking to erase the ghosts of the 2017 Champions Trophy final and stamp their authority as the best white-ball team in the world.

New Zealand, always the underdogs, always the disruptors. The team that has repeatedly thrown a wrench in India’s ICC dreams.

They’ve done it before. But can they do it again? Or will this finally be India’s moment to settle the score?

Either way, this final is set to be a classic.

Final Thoughts

Two weeks of madness, brilliance, and chaos have led us to this moment. We’ve seen unreal performances, shocking upsets, and off-field drama that could rival any soap opera.

And now, just one match remains.

So, gear up, grab your snacks, and get ready for what promises to be an epic finale. Whether you’re rooting for India’s redemption or New Zealand’s underdog story, one thing’s for sure—this is going to be one for the ages.

england cricket team

Cricket Rewind: March 22 - The World Cup semifinal that became a cruel joke

Champions Trophy 2025: Chaos, Controversies & Cricketing Brilliance – The Ultimate Recap Before the Final!

england cricket team

Cricket Rewind: March 22 - The World Cup semifinal that became a cruel joke

Champions Trophy 2025: Chaos, Controversies & Cricketing Brilliance – The Ultimate Recap Before the Final!