On Sunday, as the Indian men’s cricket team made history by securing their third ICC Champions Trophy title with a thrilling victory over New Zealand, celebrations erupted across the nation. However, in a heartbreaking twist, a tragedy unfolded in the town of Deoria, Uttar Pradesh. Priyanshi Pandey, a 14-year-old Class 8 student, tragically lost her life while watching the match with her family. The incident occurred during India’s batting innings, leaving the family in shock. Priyanshi had been enjoying the game with her loved ones as New Zealand's innings played out, but tragedy struck when the Indian team began their chase.

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Rumours soon began circulating, claiming that Priyanshi's death was linked to the early dismissal of Indian star Virat Kohli, who was out after scoring just a single run. However, Priyanshi’s father, Ajay Pandey, quickly moved to dispel these unfounded claims. In an emotional statement following his daughter’s funeral, he explained the circumstances of her sudden collapse. Ajay Pandey revealed that he had been away from home at the time of the incident, having gone to the market after watching New Zealand’s innings. He received a phone call informing him that Priyanshi had collapsed and immediately rushed back home to take her to the hospital. Despite their efforts, Priyanshi was declared dead upon arrival.

Pandey firmly stated that there was no connection between the cricket match and his daughter’s death. He clarified that the family had been watching the match at the time, and India was still performing well when the tragedy occurred. He pointed out that Virat Kohli had not yet come to bat when Priyanshi collapsed, and any association between her death and his dismissal was purely coincidental. While media reports had initially suggested that the young girl’s death was a result of shock after Kohli’s early exit, the family emphasized that such claims were baseless.  This unfortunate incident has left the small town of Deoria in mourning. As the nation celebrated India’s victory, the Pandey family is coping with the loss of a beloved daughter, remembering her for the joy she brought to their lives.