Rohit Sharma saved the best for the last and delivered a masterful knock to lead India to second Champions Trophy title following a four-wicket win over New Zealand in the final at the Dubai International Cricket stadium on March 9. With this India ended their 12-year-long Champions Trophy title drought as they last won the coveted title back in 2013 under MS Dhoni's leadership.
Rohit played a captain's knock to help India chase down a tricky target of 251 runs. Rohit cracked a splendid 76 off 83 riding on 7 fours and three fours to get India home.
India's pursuit of the challenging 252-run target, set by New Zealand after Mitchell Santner chose to bat first, began with an explosive start. Captain Rohit Sharma spearheaded the innings with a rapid half-century, which he brought up in just 41 balls. His aggressive batting, featuring three sixes and numerous boundaries, propelled India to their fastest team fifty of the tournament, achieved in a mere 7.1 overs. However, after the quick dismissals of Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli, and then Rohit Sharma's departure at 76, New Zealand seized the opportunity to regain control of the match.
Rohit Sharma after leading India to Champions Trophy 2025 title triumph
Despite this setback, crucial partnerships from Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel, followed by a steady alliance between KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya, steered India back on course. The match remained tense until the penultimate over, when Ravindra Jadeja struck the winning runs off Will O'Rourke, securing a hard-fought victory for India.Meanwhile right after India's emphatic win, Rohit lauded his teammates and said the team played some good cricket throughout the tournament which is why they ended on a winning side.
"It is very nice. We played some good cricket though the tournament. To have the result our way is a great feeling. [Aggressive style] Not natural to me, but something I really wanted to do. When you are doing something different, you have to have the backing of the team and management. I spoke to Rahul bhai earlier and now Gauti bhai as well. It is something I really wanted to do. I have played all these years in a different style, and now we are getting the results with this. We have to understand the nature of the surfaces and I was very clear about how I wanted to execute the first five-six overs. I have gotten out as well earlier, but the execution matters. The depth gives me the freedom and it helps. With Jadeja coming at 8, it gives you the confidence to go hard up front. As long as I am clear in my mind, it is great," Rohit, who was adjudged the player of the match, said after the match.
The speculations were rife that Rohit might announce his retirement after the Champions Trophy but the Hitman hasn't dropped a single word as of now.
Rohit also scripted history after winning India the Champions Trophy 2025 title. This victory elevated Rohit Sharma to an exclusive club, making him only the second Indian captain to secure two ICC trophies. His leadership had previously guided India to victory in the ICC T20 World Cup in 2024, held in Barbados. Prior to Sharma, esteemed captains like MS Dhoni, who holds three ICC titles, Sourav Ganguly, and Kapil Dev had also led India to ICC tournament victories, each contributing one title to the nation's cricketing history.