Picture : BCCI/ X
So the 12- year wait for Team India to lift the Champions Trophy is finally over . Team India were desperate to bag an ICC trophy since 2013 and two of them have suddenly come in quick succession . First the T20World Cup in West Indies 2024 and now the Champions Trophy 2025 hosted by Pakistan.
📍 Dubai
🗓️ 10th March 2025
Captain Rohit Sharma 🫡🏆🏆#TeamIndia | #INDvNZ | #ChampionsTrophy | #Final pic.twitter.com/amMFCXWoZQ
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 10, 2025
This win in Dubai where India beat New Zealand by 4 wickets in the final capped a superb finish to the tournament. India played all their matches in Dubai – total five as they refused to go the Pakistan citing security issues did not go down with several former cricketers and commentators who cited the huge advantage in favour of India .
Other teams had to travel to Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Dubai for their matches. This has put the ICC on a sticky wicket and will need lot of explaining . This strong criticism did not deter Team India with their goal – winning the tournament .
And they did that in style . With Skipper Rohit Sharma leading from the front with his aggressive intent in power play setting the tone the other batsmen followed the Hitman. Superstar Virat Kohli silenced doubters with his game hammering a hundred against arch rivals Pakistan and then guiding team India against a Australia B team with a dazzling 84 . He was aggressive running between the wickets, brilliant in the field and his eyes said bring it on. These were those gorgeous cover drives, the pulls . Making him such a delight in full form.
It was not only Virat when the team needed anchoring Shreyas Iyer, K L Rahul stepped in so too did Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja and and the ever improving Patel . Thus giving depth to the batting line- up . Such was the depth that likes of Rishabh Pant , Arshdeep Singh did not get a game in the tournament.
2024 💙💙 2025
CHAMPIONS! #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/HPaXTY4Nnk
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 9, 2025
India used the slow surface in Dubai to the hilt and used the four spinners – Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and the mystery Varun Chakravarthy with great effect to strangle the opposition. And India were tough to beat. Making a comeback after injury Mohammed Shami led the attack well in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and bagged wickets. In some patches he looked bit rusty . But the more he bowled he seemed to get into the nice rhythm. And he was well supported by now fit Hardik Pandya who chipped in with wickets when needed. India had the right balance. And the team management once they found the winning combination did not tinker wit the playing eleven. And this strategy paid off well.
Under pressure after disastrous BGT tour of Australia 2014- 25, Head coach Gautam Gambhir can afford to relax and crack a smile . This win will give him confidence in the years ahead and chance to rebuild the team the way he wants. Nothing like and ICC title under your belt .
With Rohit Sharma indicating he is not going to retire and thus ending the speculations. Superstar Virat Kohli is likely stay on too for the moment. Virat has four ICC titles( 2011 World Cup, 2013 Champions Trophy, T20 World cup 2024, Champions Trophy 2025) the only title missing from the chase master is the elusive IPL title. Kohli is the only player who has stayed with his franchise RCB right from 2008 . That’s his loyalty and for that he is widely adored and loved by fans in Bengaluru. Rohit 37, Virat 36 have shown that age has nothing just a number. Champions Trophy 2025 has shown that the two legends have still the fire the in them to compete at the top level. And with young guns like Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, to name a few ready to shoulder responsibility India cricket appears to be in safe hands. And this is the biggest takeaway from the Champions Trophy 2025
