Rohit Sharma’s India came very close to making the Champions Trophy 2025 a rematch of the World Cup 2023, but it was the classic slide between the cup and the lip. It was a fierce competition that could have gone either way, full of relief and glory. After a thrilling start to the pursuit, India may have momentarily faltered, bringing up thoughts of Ahmedabad 2023.
They were greatly relieved when the Champions Trophy final finally came to a conclusion after a dizzying mix of emotions, including tension, anticipation, and exhilaration.
With India defeating New Zealand, a team that has long been a thorn in their side at ICC events, it was ultimately a matter of “all’s well that ends well,” as they defeated the demons of the past.
In one of the most important matches of his storied career, Rohit Sharma emerged victorious as Player of the Match, as rumours about his future with the Indian team grew more intense and retirement chatter reached a fever pitch. Despite his powerful century stand with Shubman Gill and his solid 76, the hero could have easily turned into the villain. The Indian captain was somewhat to blame for trying an elaborate shot when the team could have won with a calmer, more consistent approach.
Then, with New Zealand gradually regaining wickets and India mysteriously starting to falter from a seemingly stable position under Rohit’s leadership, the match had all the makings of a Bollywood potboiler. At one point, it appeared that at least six mea culpas were necessary. As he had done in the quarterfinal match against Australia, KL Rahul, who has been widely criticised and frequently mocked by fans, ended up becoming the hero and saving the day (or rather, the night) for the Indian side.
It was a classic Flywheel vs. Doom Loop competition, as they say in the US. The Doom Loop, a difficult-to-break self-perpetuating cycle, briefly stopped the massive flywheel, which typically bulldozes its way to success. Only when Rahul took charge did the momentum eventually slow down and stop further collapse. As India won the match by four wickets, he was still at 34.
Hardik Pandya, who is equally guilty of making a hasty shot himself, gave his colleague, the night’s unsung hero, the highest honour possible. “He took calculated risks at the perfect times and was brilliant, cool, and collected. This, in my opinion, is KL Rahul. “I don’t think anyone can hit the ball like he can,” Pandya remarked, emphasising the crucial moment that determined the outcome of the match. “He has immense talent.” When anarchy threatened to overtake the situation, Rahul provided some sanity.
Last but not least, India has only lost once in three ICC white-ball competitions. A sombre evening in Ahmedabad not long ago saw the silencing of a mob of 130,000 people. However, 25,000 fans in Dubai celebrated on Sunday. Back home, more than 1.4 billion people would have joined in the celebration.
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