India Wins 2025 Champions Trophy, Harry Brook Pulls Out of IPL 2025, and AB de Villiers Smashes 28-Ball Century – March 9 Cricket Highlights

The cricket world was buzzing with action on Sunday, March 9, as multiple thrilling stories emerged from across the globe. From India’s dominant victory in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy to Harry Brook’s withdrawal from IPL 2025, and AB de Villiers’ incredible century, here’s a look at the top highlights from a memorable day in cricket.

India Lifts 2025 ICC Champions Trophy After Beating New Zealand

India’s cricket team clinched the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy title in a thrilling final against New Zealand at the Dubai International Stadium. New Zealand won the toss and put up a competitive total of 251-7 in 50 overs, with Daryl Mitchell (63 off 101 balls) and Michael Bracewell (53* off 40 balls) playing crucial knocks to lift the Kiwis after an early slump.

India’s spinners – Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav – were instrumental in the Kiwi collapse, taking two wickets each, while Ravindra Jadeja bowled a disciplined 10-over spell, conceding just 30 runs.

In reply, India had a shaky start, with their opener Rohit Sharma blasting 76 runs before a mini-collapse threatened their chase. However, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, and the ever-reliable KL Rahul steadied the ship, taking India over the line with one over to spare. India’s victory was a moment of immense pride, as they lifted the Champions Trophy on foreign soil.

Rohit Sharma and India’s Unwanted Toss Streak Continues

While Team India celebrated their Champions Trophy win, there was an interesting statistic that had Indian fans scratching their heads. India lost their 15th consecutive toss in ODIs, with Rohit Sharma himself being involved in 12 of these toss losses. This streak started in November 2023, during India’s World Cup match against Australia, and continued through the Champions Trophy. Sharma’s 5 toss losses in this tournament alone saw him equal the record set by Brian Lara for the most consecutive toss losses in ODI history.

Harry Brook Pulls Out of IPL 2025

In another significant development, England’s star batter Harry Brook has withdrawn from the 2025 IPL season, where he was bought by Delhi Capitals for INR 6.25 Crore. This marks the second year in a row that Brook has pulled out of the tournament. While Brook has not provided a specific reason for his withdrawal, the decision could affect his future participation in the IPL. According to new IPL rules, any player who pulls out after being selected in the auction faces a two-year ban from the tournament, barring injury or medical reasons.

Brook’s decision to prioritize his national commitments comes at a time when he is being considered as a possible successor to Jos Buttler as England’s next white-ball captain.

Matthew Wade Joins Gujarat Titans as Assistant Coach

The Gujarat Titans have made a key addition to their coaching staff for IPL 2025, with former Australian cricketer Matthew Wade joining as their assistant coach. Wade, who previously played for the Titans in the 2022 and 2024 seasons, will work alongside head coach Ashish Nehra and batting coach Parthiv Patel. The franchise is gearing up for its IPL opener against Punjab Kings on March 25 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Read Also: Harry Brook Pulls Out of IPL 2025, Cites Commitment to England Team

AB de Villiers Slams a 28-Ball Century

In a throwback to his prime days, former South African legend AB de Villiers put on a breathtaking show with the bat in the Taste of SuperSport Park League. Playing for Titans Legends, de Villiers hammered a blistering 28-ball century, smashing 15 sixes and seven boundaries. His remarkable innings took fans on a nostalgic journey, reminding them of his explosive batting prowess that made him one of the most exciting players in cricket history.

The cricket world was certainly treated to some incredible moments on March 9, 2025, from India’s triumph in the Champions Trophy to Brook’s decision to withdraw from the IPL and AB de Villiers’ unforgettable knock. With more cricketing action to come, it’s clear that 2025 is shaping up to be another thrilling year for fans of the sport. Stay tuned to UC Cricket for more updates and in-depth coverage of all the latest cricketing news.