November 19, 2023 – A Nation in Silence
India grieved on this day an unexpected loss to Australia in the ICC ODI World Cup final. The defeat was what many thought was the end of an era for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in ODIs.
March 9, 2025 – India Reigns Supreme Again
Flash forward to today, and India won the ICC Champions Trophy for the third time. The team, led by Rohit Sharma, defeated New Zealand in the final, giving the country a huge amount of joy.
A Stunning Turnaround in 16 Months
What a turnaround in more than a year! Rohit and Kohli, who were believed to be nearing the end of their ODI careers, were the main contributors to this historic victory.
- Virat Kohli: Utilized his experience playing on slow pitches, producing match-winning performances that took India to the final.
- Rohit Sharma: Led from the front, displaying strategic captaincy and scoring vital runs in the final game.
A Complete Team Effort
Each of the players made a big contribution, and hence this win was a team effort. Although Pakistan was the designated host, India did not want to go and played their matches in Dubai. The team got used to the conditions quickly, had a well-defined strategy, and remained undefeated in the tournament.
Domination of the Champions Trophy
This tournament included the world's best eight sides, so it was very competitive. India demonstrated its superiority by winning all games and establishing itself as the real champion.
Revenge Against New Zealand
- At the 2000 ICC Knockout Tournament (now Champions Trophy), New Zealand shocked India in the final.
- At the 2019 ODI World Cup, the Kiwis shattered Indian hearts at the semi-finals.
This time around, India turned the script around, defeating New Zealand twice—once during the group stages and again during the final—to win the coveted prize.
