Image: Tragic incident happens amid tense match of ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final / © IPL.com
In the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final, India secured a four-wicket victory over New Zealand in Dubai. Captain Rohit Sharma led from the front with a crucial 76 off 83 balls, while Virat Kohli was dismissed early for just one run by Michael Bracewell.
Amid the high-stakes match, a tragic incident occurred in Uttar Pradesh, where a 14-year-old girl suffered a heart attack and was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital. Initially, speculation arose that her collapse was linked to Kohli’s early dismissal. However, her father, Ajay Pandey, clarified that he was not home at the time and received a call about the incident while at the market. He confirmed that her passing was unrelated to the match.
Kohli, widely regarded as one of the greatest batters of his generation, has an immense fan following, often leading to heated debates among cricket enthusiasts. While fan rivalries between supporters of Kohli and Rohit Sharma are common, this event highlighted the intense emotions associated with cricket in India.
India’s triumph on March 9 added another ICC trophy to their collection, with Rohit Sharma playing a key role in the final. The match and its aftermath once again underscored cricket’s deep cultural impact in the country.