Going into the 2025 Trophy, India will not just want to win a second successive ICC trophy but also make up for their defeat in the summit clash of the 2017 edition against arch-rivals Pakistan at the Oval. The Virat Kohli-led side went into the final as a favorite to win a second title in a row but was handed a humiliating defeat by 180 runs.

Indian captain Virat Kohli won the toss and chose to bowl first in a decision that proved costly as the Men in Green posted a huge total of 338 on the board. Fakhar Zaman scored a century while Azhar Ali and Mohammed Hafeez scored half-centuries.

In reply, a stunning new-ball spell by Mohammed Amir left India reeling at 33-3 as the famed top three of Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Shikhar Dhawan had a rare off day. Yuvraj Singh (22) and MS Dhoni (4) also failed to make an impact. Hardik Pandya put up a lone fight with a 43-ball 76, but it proved a case of too little too late.

Indian Coach Blames Kohli's Decision

Recalling the match, Sanjay Bangar, who was the batting coach of the Indian team during the tournament blamed Kohli's decision to bowl first as a big mistake. However, Bangar refused to blame the Indian captain alone and claimed it was a collective decision made by Kohli, head coach Anil Kumble and senior players like MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma.

"We made a mistake that day. We should have batted after winning the toss because in England, you always look up – whether there are clouds. And it was a sunny day entirely. I felt that the decisions that were made and the team management who was part of that call were wrong. I, too, was part of that team. So the captain Virat Kohli, coach Anil Kumble, senior player MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma... everybody was a part of it. It wasn't a one-man decision," said Bangar in a discussion on EspnCrininfo.

"When Hardik and Jadeja were batting, the target was too steep even then. He played a good innings and struck some big sixes, but barring that, we were out of the game when we lost the top order. Hardik was fuming, but he didn't let that frustration out on his teammate. It was more on himself in a way that 'I could have won this match for India'. In such a scenario, the player should be left alone," Bangar added.

The Champions Trophy was Kohli's first leading the team in an ICC tournament after taking charge of the side in white-ball just a few months earlier in January 2017. The Indian cricket legend ended his captaincy tenure without a ICC trophy to his name as the team lost in the 2019 World Cup semi-final and the 2021 World Test Championship (WTC) final while being knocked out in the group stage of the 2021 T20 World Cup.

A day after the team's defeat in the final against Pakistan, Anil Kumble announced his decision to resign from the top job.

Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Cricket, Sports and around the world.