India Clinch Champions Trophy with 4-Wicket Win

India secured their third ICC Champions Trophy title on Sunday, defeating New Zealand by four wickets in a thrilling final at the Dubai International Stadium. Led by captain Rohit Sharma’s blazing 76-run knock and supported by key contributions from Shreyas Iyer and K.L. Rahul, India successfully chased down the target of 252 with one over to spare, sparking celebrations across the country.

The win marked India’s second consecutive ICC title after their T20 World Cup triumph in 2024, underlining their dominance in international cricket. It also marked the fourth ICC final in under two years for India, further cementing their status as a global cricket powerhouse.

Rohit Sharma Shines, Dismisses Retirement Rumours

Rohit Sharma, playing in his third Champions Trophy final, led from the front with a blistering 76 off 58 balls, setting a strong foundation for India’s chase. His innings, laced with 10 boundaries and two sixes, proved instrumental in nullifying New Zealand’s bowling attack. Following the match, Sharma quelled speculation about his ODI retirement.

“I am not going to retire from this format,” Sharma stated firmly in the post-match press conference. Switching to Hindi, he added, “No future plan, jo ho raha hai woh chalta rahega (No future plan, whatever is happening will continue)”. Having already retired from T20Is after India’s World Cup win in 2024, Sharma reaffirmed his commitment to ODI cricket.

The captain also praised the team’s senior players, highlighting their role in sustaining momentum throughout the tournament. “There is a lot of hunger even in guys who have played a lot of cricket, and it rubs down on even the younger players,” he remarked.

Sharma reserved special praise for Shreyas Iyer, describing him as the tournament's “silent hero”. Iyer emerged as India’s second-highest run-scorer with 241 runs in five matches, including a crucial 48 in the final.

Emotional Celebrations Across India

The victory sent waves of joy across India, especially among the families of the players. In Nadiad, Gujarat, Axar Patel’s family broke into jubilant celebrations after his pivotal 29-run knock stabilized India’s innings alongside Iyer.

“I am so happy that I can't stop shedding tears of happiness. My son performed well, and the team was great,” said Axar’s mother, Preeti Patel, told the media. His father, Rajesh Patel, expressed similar elation, stating, “The entire team combined tonight for the victory, so I am pleased. I would like to give my blessings to all for winning the cup.”

In Mumbai, fans gathered outside Virat Kohli’s residence, celebrating the team’s success and Kohli’s exceptional performance throughout the tournament. The iconic batter, who clinched his fourth ICC trophy alongside Sharma, expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support.

Star Couples Capture Attention

The celebratory mood extended off the field as well. One of the most heartwarming moments came when Virat Kohli shared an emotional embrace with his wife, actress Anushka Sharma, in the stands after the match. The video quickly went viral on social media, drawing admiration from fans.

KL Rahul’s wife, actress Athiya Shetty, who is expecting their first child, celebrated the win from home. She posted a photo of herself watching the match on television, captioned simply with a red heart emoji, signifying her pride in Rahul’s contribution.

PCB Criticised for Absence at Trophy Ceremony

While celebrations continued, the absence of any Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) representative at the trophy presentation drew widespread criticism. Despite being the official tournament host, Pakistan did not have any senior officials present in Dubai for the ceremony.

Former cricketer Shoaib Akhtar voiced his disappointment on social media, noting, “India has won the ICC Champions Trophy today but I noticed something strange. Pakistan were the hosts in the tournament but there were no PCB representatives present. This is beyond my understanding.”

Reports suggest that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister, was preoccupied with official commitments in Islamabad. Additionally, PCB Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmed, who was the tournament director, reportedly stayed away from the presentation ceremony.

India’s Winning Streak Continues

India’s latest ICC triumph further solidifies their stature as a cricketing giant. With their third Champions Trophy win—following victories in 2002 (shared with Sri Lanka) and 2013—India has now become the only team to win both the Champions Trophy and T20 World Cup back-to-back.

Reflecting on the team’s future, Kohli optimistically stated, “We have a squad that’s ready to take on the world for the next eight years.”

(With agency input)