India are all set to face off against New Zealand in the highly anticipated Champions Trophy final, but the clash will also see the Rohit Sharma-led side battle against an eerie Sunday jinx. For the superstitious fans, India will be hoping to reverse their fortunes, having lost all but one ICC tournament final played on a Sunday. The latest test comes on March 9 yet again, a Sunday.
From the 2000 Champions Trophy final against New Zealandthen called the ICC Knockoutto the heartbreak of the 2023 ODI World Cup final loss against Australia, India’s history in Sunday finals has been filled with disappointment.
Meanwhile, India's only ICC tournament final victory on a Sunday came in the 2013 Champions Trophy against England, but even that triumph had a twist. The match, which began on Sunday, June 23, was interrupted by rain and continued into Monday, June 24meaning the Sunday jinx technically remains unbroken.
1983 ODI World Cup Final Saturday
2002 Champions Trophy Final Monday
2007 T20 World Cup Final Monday
2011 ODI World Cup Final Saturday
2013 Champions Trophy Final Sunday/Monday
2024 T20 World Cup Final Saturday
2014 T20 World Cup Final Sunday
2003 ODI World Cup Final Sunday
2000 Champions Trophy Final Sunday
2017 Champions Trophy Final Sunday
India captain Rohit Sharma has already etched his name in the record books by becoming the first skipper to lead his team into the finals of all four ICC white-ball events. A victory against the Kiwis would make him the second-most successful Indian captain in limited-overs cricket.
However, in order to break the jinx and secure glory, Rohit Sharma and his men will have to overcome their biggest challengeNew Zealand’s Mitchell Santner. The Black Caps' skipper is riding high on confidence after a match-winning spell in the semi-final against South Africa and will be eager to lead his team to victory on cricket’s biggest stage.
Source: India Today