Champions Trophy 2017 News

Virat Kohli has become the top-ranked ODI batsman, rising two places in the ICC ODI rankings after scoring 157 runs in three matches in the ongoing Champions Trophy. Kohli, who held the top rank for four days in January, had begun the tournament 22 points behind top-ranked AB de Villiers. Shikhar Dhawan also returned into the top 10, ranking 10th.

The ICC had requested Indian fans to sell the tickets they purchased for the first semi-final between England and Pakistan, in case they do not plan to attend the match. Indian fans had reportedly purchased 30% of the tickets before the teams were decided, and the ICC fearing that the seats will go vacant, requested the resale.

Cricketer-turned-commentator Virender Sehwag jokingly termed Bangladesh "India's grandson" and Pakistan "India's son", in his tweet appreciating Bangladesh's effort to reach Champions Trophy semis. India beat Bangladesh on Thursday to set up Champions Trophy 2017 final clash against Pakistan, to which Sehwag reacted, "Father's Day par Bete ke saath final hai." The final will take place on June 18.

Reacting to India playing Pakistan in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy on Sunday, a user tweeted, "TVs in Pakistan on Sunday, RIP." Other tweets read, "Dadaji Beats Pota By 9 Wickets To Get Champions Trophy As Gift From Beta On Father's Day," and, "Get ready for TV breaking ceremony. Time to face your daddy."

Bangladesh was awarded five penalty runs against India in the Champions Trophy semi-final on Thursday, after keeper MS Dhoni's throw hit a glove, which was on the ground. As per laws, a team is awarded five penalty runs if the ball touches protective gear placed on the ground. This was Dhoni's fifth penalty offence in international cricket.

Former Pakistan skipper Aamer Sohail has hinted at match fixing in Pakistan's Champions Trophy games, saying there were "external factors" behind the team's progress. Speaking on a Pakistani news channel, Sohail said, "We all know what happens behind the scenes. Don't wish to get into the details on who won them the games," said Sohail, after Pakistan's win over England.

Actor Rishi Kapoor trolled the Pakistan cricket team on Twitter, after India defeated Bangladesh to face their arch-rivals in the Champions Trophy final on Sunday. Kapoor asked the Pakistan Cricket Board to send a cricket team for the match, and not a "hockey or kho kho" team. India defeated Pakistan by 124 runs in their last encounter on June 4.

India rose one place to go to the second spot in the ICC ODI rankings, following the team's victory in the Champions Trophy semi-final against Bangladesh on Thursday. India now have 118 points, just one point behind table-toppers South Africa, who were eliminated from the tournament earlier. India will finish with 119 points if they win against Pakistan on Sunday.

Cricketers Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma had a combined family lunch while on their way to London for the ICC Champions Trophy final against Pakistan on Sunday. Shikhar posted a picture on Instagram, captioned, "Enjoyed having lunch together at stop over before we reach london .@rohitsharma45 @ajinkyarahane." The picture showed the players and their wives, and Dhawan's son.

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly was heckled by Pakistani fans in England ahead of the Champions Trophy final between India and Pakistan on Sunday. Fans surrounded Ganguly's car, chanting slogans and waving the Pakistani flag in front of the car. Ganguly, who was at the driver's seat, did not react and just waved at the supporters.

India's Virat Kohli and Pakistan's Sarfraz Ahmed have both led India and Pakistan respectively to the U-19 World Cup victories. While Sarfraz captained the Pakistani team that defeated India in the final of the 2006 edition, Virat led the Indian team to victory in 2008. Both are captaining the senior team for the first time in an ICC tournament final.

India have lost the subsequent ODI 10 times, thrice to Pakistan, after defeating Bangladesh in multi-side tournaments. Of these, eight occasions have been in the Asia Cup, one in the 2015 World Cup and another in the 1998 Coca-Cola Triangular Series. However, on five occasions, India have won the next ODI, once beating Pakistan in the 2016 Asia Cup.

Three players have represented both India and Pakistan in international cricket. Gul Mohammad and Abdul Kardar made their debut in an England-India Test in 1946, before the former took Pakistani citizenship in 1955. Kardar captained Pakistan in 1952, going onto lead the team against all the then Test-playing nations. Amir Elahi played one Test for India and five for Pakistan.

As per reports, a 30-second advertisement spot during the India-Pakistan Champions Trophy final on Sunday is being sold for ₹1 crore by broadcasters Star Sports. A 10-second spot during the final is reportedly being sold for ₹20 lakh, five times more than the tournament average of ₹4 lakh. Star Sports is only left with 5% (250-300 seconds) of ad time.

Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh has set the record for most appearances by a player in ICC tournament finals, with the Champions Trophy final against Pakistan on Sunday being his career's seventh. Yuvraj has played three Champions Trophy finals in 2000, 2002 and 2017, two World T20 finals in 2007 and 2014, and two World Cup finals in 2003 and 2011.

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya hit the fastest ever half century in the final of an ICC ODI tournament after reaching the score in 32 balls against Pakistan on Sunday. The record was earlier held by former Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist who reached his fifty off 33 balls against Pakistan in the final of the 1999 World Cup.

Pakistan won their first ever Champions Trophy title after beating defending champions India by 180 runs in the tournament final on Sunday. Pakistan last won an ICC ODI tournament 25 years ago when they had lifted the 1992 World Cup. The match was only the third instance of India being beaten by the arch-rivals in an ICC tournament.

Bookmakers reportedly lost up to ₹2,500 crore following India's loss to Pakistan in the Champions Trophy final on Sunday. As per reports, almost 50-60% punters from India and other nations, including Gulf countries, had placed their money on India, with 90% of them being Indian bookies. The odds were initially in favour of India at 80 paise for every rupee.

Pakistani fans supported Indian captain Virat Kohli and lauded his sportsmanship even as Indians burnt his effigies after the Champions Trophy final loss against Pakistan on Sunday. A Pakistani fan tweeted, "Virat is truly a credit to his team and nation, a generous and honest sporting spirit with oodles of talent." Another tweet read, "Nothing but respect for Indian Skipper."