In the Champions Trophy final, India narrowly escaped disaster when New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra was dropped twice, with one instance forcing Mohammed Shami to leave the field for medical attention. After New Zealand opted to bat first, Ravindra provided early momentum, scoring 37 runs while appearing fortunate at times. At 28 runs from just 20 balls, he was let off the hook by Shami, who managed only a fingertip on the catch and immediately required treatment. This incident continued a distressing pattern for Shami, who had dropped two catches in the semi-final against Australia.
Commentators noted the challenge Shami faced, with former player Ian Smith mentioning the “awkward height” of the ball. Following this, Ravindra experienced further luck when he was ruled out caught behind; the decision was overturned after a review. Unfortunately for India, the next delivery was misjudged by Shreyas Iyer, who couldn’t secure a catch at deep mid-wicket—a crucial opportunity missed in a high-stakes match.
Dinesh Karthik highlighted the significance of the moment, stating that Iyer, known for his reliable hands, would feel deeply disappointed. Aaron Finch remarked on the overarching frustration for the Indian side. While Shami momentarily left the field, he returned to bowl the next over, only to be substituted for Kuldeep Yadav, who subsequently dismissed Ravindra with his very first delivery. This dramatic turn of events saw Ravindra’s downfall mark India’s second wicket at a score of 69.
The match was punctuated by these missed chances, which could have altered its course, emphasising the high-pressure nature of finals and the impact of individual performances on the outcome.