The unfinished dream is now complete. On November 19, 2023, the hopes of millions of cricket fans were shattered when Rohit Sharma and team lost the 2023 ODI World Cup final to Australia. But in 2025, that wound has found some healing. Rohit and his team have won the “mini World Cup”—the Champions Trophy. After defeating Australia in the semifinals, India crushed 2000 Champions Trophy winners New Zealand in the final.
Back in the 2000 final, New Zealand had defeated India by 4 wickets to clinch the title. Now, 25 years later, India has turned the tables, beating New Zealand by 4 wickets to lift the trophy. Sourav Ganguly’s team lost in 2000, but Rohit Sharma’s team has emerged victorious now. Back then, Chris Cairns broke millions of Indian hearts with a match-winning century. This time, captain Rohit Sharma played a stellar 76-run knock to floor the Blackcaps. While New Zealand celebrated their 2000 win in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2025, Team India has raised the victory flag in Dubai. After 25 years, the India-New Zealand score is level.
After India’s Champions Trophy win in Dubai, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma celebrated with a unique dandiya dance, holding the stumps. Head coach Gautam Gambhir joined in with an unexpected smile, embracing everyone on the field. No one had anticipated such a night of celebration. After all, India lifted the Champions Trophy after 12 years—a moment worthy of grand celebration.
From millions of fans to the players themselves, everyone rejoiced in India’s victory. Praises poured in for Team India. But only those who endured the tough times truly understand the struggle behind this win. For six long months, many players only heard criticism. For them, winning the Champions Trophy is nothing short of a rebirth.
Representing India on the global stage is no small feat. It demands countless sacrifices and the strength to endure intense criticism. After India’s poor performances, Gambhir, Rohit, and Kohli faced the harshest backlash. People who knew and didn’t know cricket hurled abuse at them. Still, they endured it all and faced tough times head-on.
Under Gambhir’s coaching, India initially lost a series against Sri Lanka. Then came a 0–3 Test series loss at home to New Zealand, followed by a shameful 1–3 defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.
The trolling party erupted after that. From head coach Gambhir to Kohli and Rohit—everyone was abused both online and offline. There was pressure from inside and outside to retire. But they focused on their game and skills. Now, after guiding India to a Champions Trophy victory, they deserve to celebrate in peace and joy.
Today, everyone is singing their praises. Those who once pressured Rohit and Kohli to retire are now urging them to play the 2027 ODI World Cup. Rohit has also ended all speculation about his retirement. While he and Kohli have retired from T20s, it’s clear that neither is ready to say goodbye to ODIs just yet.
During tough times and criticisms, the team management never lost faith in the players. And perhaps that is why India has now achieved this historic success. Across the last three ICC tournaments, India has lost just one match. Apart from the 2023 World Cup final, India remained unbeaten in both the T20 World Cup and the Champions Trophy—an incredible achievement.
This reflects the skill, seriousness, and unity among the players. The team management has always protected the players from external pressure. If India loses even one match, outside pressure begins to mount. Cricket experts on social media and TV say all sorts of things about the players. Analyses and predictions begin. But the players ignore all of that. They focus on how to win and enjoy the game.
Since the 2023 ODI World Cup, Rohit Sharma has been batting with a new approach, giving India explosive starts with…
