Kohli lauds the performances of Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, and Shreyas Iyer as India clinch their third ICC Champions Trophy title with a thrilling win over New Zealand in Dubai.
Dubai [UAE], March 10: Following India’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 triumph, star batter Virat Kohli hailed the team’s resilience and future potential, emphasizing that the Men in Blue are built to dominate world cricket for years to come.
“I feel we have a squad that is ready to take on the world for the next eight years,” Kohli declared during the post-match presentation.
India clinched their third Champions Trophy title by defeating New Zealand by four wickets in a high-intensity final at the Dubai International Stadium. This marks India’s second consecutive ICC white-ball trophy, following their T20 World Cup 2024 win.
A Dominant Performance in the Final
India’s journey to glory was highlighted by standout performances from multiple players, particularly Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakravarthy. Kohli expressed immense satisfaction at how different players stepped up at crucial moments throughout the tournament.
“So much talent in the dressing room. Everyone has put their hands up at some point in this tournament. The amount of work we have put in at practice sessions—it feels great to win. When you leave, you want to leave the team in a better place,” he added.
Kohli reserved special praise for Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul for their consistent contributions with the bat, and for Hardik Pandya’s all-round impact.
“Shubman has been outstanding, Shreyas has played some top knocks, KL has finished games, and Hardik has been superb with the bat,” Kohli said.
Kohli’s Tribute to New Zealand
Despite India’s victory, Kohli acknowledged the spirit and skill of the New Zealand team, particularly his close friend Kane Williamson, who ended up on the losing side.
“We have always been in awe of what they do despite their limited talent pool. They execute their plans so well, always staying competitive. Credit to them—they are the best fielding unit. Sad to see a good friend of mine (Williamson) on the losing side, but they always make it tough for the opposition,” Kohli remarked.
How India Secured the Title
New Zealand, after winning the toss, opted to bat first and set a 251/7 total in 50 overs. Contributions from Daryl Mitchell (63), Michael Bracewell (53), and Rachin Ravindra (37)* helped the Kiwis reach a competitive score. However, India’s spinners—Kuldeep Yadav (2/40) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/45)—kept the opposition in check.
India responded with a 105-run opening stand between skipper Rohit Sharma (76 off 83 balls, 7 fours, 3 sixes) and Shubman Gill (31). Despite losing wickets in the middle overs, Shreyas Iyer (48), Axar Patel (29), and KL Rahul (34)* ensured India chased down the target with an over to spare.
This win cements India’s dominance in world cricket, with Rohit Sharma and his team showcasing their depth, composure, and ability to thrive under pressure.
Tags: ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India vs New Zealand, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Cricket Final, Team India, Kane Williamson