At the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, March 9, India defeated New Zealand in the 2025 Champions Trophy final, with Ravindra Jadeja scoring the game-winning runs. But even before the momentous occasion, the Saurashtra all-rounder was in the news because of a gesture made by Virat Kohli in the first innings that raised questions about whether he would retire.
After Jadeja ended his bowling stint, giving up just 30 runs in his ten overs and taking the crucial wicket of Tom Latham, the event took place. Discussions about whether this was the all-rounder’s last outing in white-ball cricket began when Kohli hurried over to embrace his long-time pal Jadeja.
After helping India win the T20 World Cup last year, Ravindra Jadeja announced his retirement from T20I cricket along with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
With 15 balls remaining in the second innings of the Champions Trophy final, Jadeja came out to bat when India needed only 11 runs to win. He finished the run-chase with a boundary through the square leg, remaining undefeated at nine off six balls.
Cricket fans were wondering whether this was Jadeja’s final outing in international cricket when the fireworks went off and he pointed to the name on the back of his jersey. Nevertheless, Jadeja did not address his retirement in an interview with Harsha Bhogle following the game, in which he discussed the game and much more.
“I’m either a hero or a zero at the conclusion of the game because of my batting number. Fortunately, KL and Hardik performed well together; their runs changed the course of the match. It’s a significant competition, playing for India and winning the Champions Trophy for the nation is significant, and you do lament not being a part of winning teams after playing for so long. Getting the wicket wasn’t easy at initially. However, I’m fortunate that I’ve been able to stay healthy and perform at my best in order to win the Champions Trophy and the 2024 T20 World Cup,” Jadeja remarked following the game.
Jadeja did not declare his retirement following the game, and it seemed that Kohli gave the 36-year-old a hug in appreciation for his economical session.
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