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Team India had it’s moments in the year gone by. The women’s team led by inspiring skipper Harmanpreet Kaur soaked the home advantage pressure and with dtermined and steely resolve won the their First ICC Women’s World Cup 2025. Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma guided India to a historic 52-run victory over South Africa which saw the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 hosts lift the trophy for the first time.
Sharma propelled her country to 298 for seven with a composed 58 before returning a match-winning five for 39 with the ball to bowl South Africa out for 246. Verma had earlier crashed 87 at the top of the order to get India off to a strong start but Laura Wolvaardt responded during the Proteas’ chase with her ninth ODI century. But once Sharma removed South Africa’s captain, the hosts were able to finish the job and become world champions for the first time to the delight of an ecstatic crowd in Navi Mumbai.Shafali was declared the Player of the Match, while Deepti Sharma won the Player of the Tournament award. Unassuming coach Amol Mazumdar tasted success as a coach. A massive for a player who despite a sterling domestic career with runs under his belt never got a chance to play for India . This was the icing on the cake .
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Team India have made the rivalry with Pakistan one- sided as they beat Pakistan ( in two league games earlier too India won emphtically) in the final of Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Stadium . India were dominant right through and remained unbeaten in the tournament. The clash with pakistan was a tense affair as the two nations faced each otrher after the dastradly terror strike at Pahalgam that took 26 lives of tourists . In hit back with Operation Sindoor. And what’s more India refused to shake handshake with Pakistan before and after the match indicated the cold vibes wbewteen the neighbours. Suryakumar Yadav won his first ICC tournament as India Captain.
The men’s team under Rohit Sharma ended their 12- year jinx as they lifted the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. In the final they beat New Zealand by four wickets . It was yet another feather in the cap for Skipper Rohit Sharma having added the ICC T20World Cup 2024 win in West Indies.
In 50 overs and T20 formats India enjoyed success but under head coach Gautam Gambhir in the longer format there were disappointment. That too losing Test series to South Africa 2-0 at home . Last year they lost to New Zealand last year 3-0. The only solace was the impressive show in the five- Tests in England under new Skipper Shubman Gill as India drew the series 2-2. Gill came into his own as Skipper with sterling 754 runs under his belt. Indian cricket fans were further anguished as iconic duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli bid adieu to Tests . The duo had already retired from T20I after last 2024 T20 World Cup win in West Indies .
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The 18-year wait finally came to an end as a gritty and hungry Royal Challengers Bengaluru won their first IPL Title. They beat Punjab Kings by 6 runs in a thrilling Tata IPL 2025 final at the Narendra Modi stadium , Ahmedabad. It was a fitting win for ‘King Kohli ‘as legendary Virat Kohli added the one trophy missing in his outstanding career. A franchise with whom Virat had stayed on since it began 18 years ago. Truly a fairytale and the wait worth Gold. Legend Virat Kohli was overcome with emotions he struggled to hold back his tears after the end of the match, as he finally laid his hands on the IPL trophy — ending 18 years of heartbreak. ‘Never thought this day would come, was overcome with emotion after we won,’ he reportedly said after the final. ‘This win is as much for the fans as it is for the team. I have given this team my youth, prime and experience. I tried to win it every season, gave it everything I can.’
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Termed chokers for long South Africa ended 27 years of hurt by beating Australia at Lord’s to win the ICC World Test Championship 2025. Aiden Markram’s majestic 136 led the way as the Proteas sealed a five-wicket victory to lift this trophy for the first time and end a drought stretching back to the 1998 Champions Trophy. Australia did not give up without a fight, claiming the scalps of Temba Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs before Markram was caught at mid-wicket with just six runs required having taken his side within touching distance. It was left to David Bedingham and Kyle Verreynne to complete the job and spark joyous scenes from the sizable South African contingent inside the Home of Cricket, Verreynne hitting the winning runs to seal a memorable triumph.
