India, March 9 -- Tilak Varma's juggling catch at the boundary ropes signalled the end of New Zealand's batting resistance. Abhishek Sharma was the bowler. These were the final images of India's World Cup campaign, which was stuttering at one stage before the hosts arrested the slide. Their world No.1 batter who couldn't find a run initially, blazed away in the final and took the final wicket to apply the seal of triumph on the campaign.

Following India's 96-run win, Varma raced pitch side and was joined by teammates who gathered around him with bear hugs and fist pumps. Raghu, the team's throw-down specialist who arrives first to prep the batters in practice sessions, brought out the Indian tricolour and handed it to the proud players t...