India’s team manager, R. Devraj, has left the Champions Trophy 2025 due to his mother’s passing. The HCA expressed condolences. Meanwhile, the Indian team secured a total of 249-9 against New Zealand, setting the stage for their upcoming semi-final match.
The manager of the Indian cricket team, R. Devraj, has departed from his role during the Champions Trophy 2025 following the passing of his mother. According to a report by Cricbuzz, he left for Hyderabad soon after receiving the devastating news. Devraj, who holds the position of secretary for the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), was in Dubai with the team, and it remains uncertain if he will resume his managerial responsibilities.
In an official statement, the HCA expressed their condolences, stating, “With deep sorrow, we inform you that our Secretary Devraj’s mother, Kamaleshwari garu, has passed away. May her soul rest in peace. Our heartfelt condolences to Devraj garu and his family.”
On the field, India faced New Zealand in a critical group match and managed to score 249-9, driven by a resilient 79 runs from Shreyas Iyer and a powerful late contribution of 45 runs from Hardik Pandya. Their efforts came in response to an impressive bowling performance from New Zealand’s Matt Henry, who captured five wickets for 42 runs.
Having been invited to bat first, India found themselves in a precarious position at 30-3 before Iyer and Axar Patel, who contributed 42 runs, formed a crucial partnership of 98 runs for the fourth wicket. Pandya’s aggressive innings, featuring four boundaries and two sixes, helped stabilize the team’s score on a difficult pitch. The outcome of this match will determine India’s opponent in the semi-final against Australia, while the losing side will face South Africa.
Despite political tensions preventing India from competing in Pakistan, the team is set to play the first semi-final in Dubai on Tuesday. Their advancement in the tournament will hinge on their current performance though the focus remains on the tragic loss experienced by Devraj and its impact on the team.
In summary, R. Devraj’s departure from the Indian cricket team during the Champions Trophy 2025 was prompted by the unfortunate demise of his mother, leading to immediate travel back to Hyderabad. Meanwhile, the team continues to show resilience on the pitch, with their recent performance against New Zealand positioning them for a critical semi-final match. The HCA has extended heartfelt condolences to Devraj and his family during this difficult time.
Original Source: sports.ndtv.com
