Watch: Axar Patel makes Hardik Pandya clap like a kid after taking screamer to dismiss Rachin Ravindra
Published - 02 Mar 2025, 08:06 PM | Updated - 02 Mar 2025, 08:12 PM
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The 31-year-old India National Cricket Team all-rounder Axar Patel took an absolute stunner to dismiss the 25-year-old New Zealand National Cricket Team batter Rachin Ravindra on Sunday, March 2.
Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya was absolutely delighted looking at Axar Patel pull off a screamer to dismiss the Kiwi opener during the last group stage match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Also Read: Watch: Mitchell Santner injures Mohammed Shami with wild throw in IND vs NZ clash
Rachin Ravindra fails to score big as Axar Patel takes a stunner
While chasing the target of 250 runs, New Zealand were off to a poor start as they lost the first wicket in the 4th over itself at the score of 17.
It was the in-form Kiwi opener Rachin Ravindra - the first-ever player to score a century on World Cup and Champions Trophy debut - who was dismissed after scoring 6 runs off 12 balls by Hardik Pandya.
On the last ball of the 4th over, Hardik bowled a shortish delivery to Ravindra, who went for an uppercut. He hit the ball high but didn't get the desired distance as Axar Patel, the third man, came in running, put in a perfect dive, and managed to grab an absolute blinder.
Despite his elbows hitting the ground, Axar Patel didn't drop the catch and Hardik Pandya looked extremely delighted after getting the wicket as he was seen clapping like a kid.
Watch: Axar Patel takes screamer to dismiss Rachin Ravindra
Hardik Pandya Claims Ravindra’s Wicket, Assisted by Axar Patel’s Screamer! 👏
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What happened in the previous ICC Champions Trophy match between India and New Zealand?
Before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash, New Zealand and India had met only once in the tournament history - during the ICC Champions Trophy 2000 final (then known as the ICC KnockOut) in Nairobi. It was an absolute thriller between the two teams that ended with the Black Caps clinching their first-ever ICC title, thanks to a sensational century by Chris Cairns.
Batting first, India got off to a flying start with a brilliant 141-run opening stand between Sourav Ganguly (117) and Sachin Tendulkar (69).
The duo dominated the New Zealand bowlers before wickets began to fall at regular intervals. Rahul Dravid, Yuvraj Singh, and others failed to capitalize on the strong start, and India ended at 264/6 in 50 overs. For the Kiwis,
Chasing the target, New Zealand got off to a shaky start as they lost early wickets. At 132/5, India looked in control, but Chris Cairns ruined India's plans and turned the game on its head.
Despite battling a knee injury, he played an unbeaten knock of 102 off 113 balls. Chris Harris (46) provided solid support to him as the duo put together a match-winning 122-run stand for the sixth wicket. In the last 2 overs, 15 runs were needed but Cairns held his nerve and sealed a 4-wicket win for New Zealand with two balls to spare.
