In a remarkable display of dominance, the Indian cricket team clinched the Champions Trophy on Sunday in Dubai, maintaining an unbeaten record throughout the tournament.
The final saw India overpower New Zealand, much to the delight of skipper Rohit Sharma, who hailed the team’s perfect campaign as a significant milestone in their cricketing journey.
Sharma reflected on the campaign's unique challenge, noting, “We emerged victorious despite losing all five tosses. The fact that we didn’t lose a single match across five games makes this triumph exceptionally gratifying.
It was only after securing the trophy that we realized the magnitude of our achievement—completing the tournament undefeated. That revelation made our victory all the more extraordinary, and it's hard to express just how rewarding that feels right now,” he remarked in an exclusive interview with JioHotstar.
He further shared insights into the team’s dynamic, emphasizing the unity and focus that drove their success.
“Our team is incredibly solid, and it’s a privilege to play with such dedicated individuals. Each player understands their role and responsibilities, which is crucial. Naturally, there are high emotions on the field, and while I sometimes get carried away, it’s all within the spirit of the game. Any words exchanged in the heat of the moment are simply expressions of our passion, not intended to offend. Ultimately, our primary aim is to win, and we’re committed to doing whatever it takes to achieve that,” Sharma added.
This victory propels India into the record books, giving them their third Champions Trophy title, breaking a tie with Australia.
It adds to their triumphs in 2002 (shared with Sri Lanka) and 2013. Impressively, the victory comes just eight months after Rohit Sharma led India to their second T20 World Cup victory in Barbados.
Since the 2023 ODI World Cup, India has showcased formidable consistency, playing 23 matches in three consecutive ICC limited-overs events, with their only setback being a loss in the CWC final against Australia.