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India's Champions Trophy 2025 title triumph marked their first ICC trophy under Gautam Gambhir coaching. India got the better of New Zealand by four wickets in the Champions Trophy 2025 final at the Dubai International Cricket stadium on March 9. This win extended India's Champions Trophy title count to three, which is the most by any team.
Gautam Gambhir wins first ICC title for India under his coaching
India's head coach Gautam Gambhir hence joined an elite list of legends with India's Champions Trophy 2025 win. By securing this title, Gambhir became only the fifth individual to win an ICC tournament both as a player and a head coach. He joins a legendary list that includes his former Indian teammate Rahul Dravid, Australians Darren Lehmann and Geoff Marsh, and South African Gary Kirsten. Gambhir's own playing career was highlighted by his contributions to India's triumphs in the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup.
In the final, New Zealand, led by Mitchell Santner, posted a total of 251/7 after electing to bat. India's response was anchored by a stellar innings from Rohit Sharma, who scored 76 runs off 83 balls. Crucial cameos from Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Axar Patel, and Hardik Pandya propelled the team closer to victory, with Ravindra Jadeja ultimately sealing the win on the last ball of the 49th over. This Champions Trophy win represented Gambhir's first major title since assuming the role of head coach, succeeding Rahul Dravid. Darren Lehmann, another member of this exclusive club, coached Australia to victory in the 2015 World Cup, adding to his own playing success with World Cup wins in 2003 and 1999. Geoff Marsh, father of cricketers Shaun and Mitchell Marsh, achieved the distinction of winning the 1999 World Cup as a head coach and the 1987 World Cup as a player. Gary Kirsten, fondly remembered in India for his pivotal role in the team's 2011 World Cup victory on home soil, also won the 1998 Champions Trophy (then known as the ICC KnockOut Tournament) as a player.
Rahul Dravid himself achieved a similar feat, guiding India to the 2024 T20 World Cup title as head coach. As a player, Dravid was part of the Indian team that shared the 2002 Champions Trophy title with Sri Lanka.
Gautam Gambhir's reaction on India's Champions Trophy title win
Meanwhile Gambhir congratulated the countrymen after India's historic Champions Trophy win.
"Congratulations to 1.4 billion Indians! Jai Hind," Gambhir wrote on X.
Prior to the Champions Trophy, Gambhir faced a turbulent time as India's head coach. His tenure had been marked by a series of setbacks, including an ODI series loss to Sri Lanka, an embarrassing home Test series whitewash by New Zealand, and a defeat in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in Australia.
However, Gambhir found greater success in white-ball cricket. India's wins in ODI and T20I series against England at home provided crucial momentum leading into the Champions Trophy. Rohit Sharma's Team India was a force to reckon with in the Champions Trophy as they first defeated Bangladesh, Pakistan and New Zealand to make it to the semis. And then gunned down world champions Australia in the semis to storm into the final and the rest is history.
