ICC Champions Trophy 2025

[indiansportsfan]

IMO, Rahul was the man of the series for us. He contributed in almost every game and carried us through in both the crucial knockout matches. He thus redeemed himself after having performed below par in the previous ICC tournaments. I hope he can continue this way in future big tournaments as well.

Rohit also redeemed himself in the final, he wants to carry on to the next ODI WC and win the big one that he really wants before he retires.

[Atithee]

Rahul haters still hate him? I think he has been a key bat for us pretty much throughout the tournament. Yes, his keeping could be better, but he is also spectacular many times as a keeper. Pant’s temperament, but it is an asset it also a big liability. Rahul has a better match sense and temperament. I’d not play Pant over him at least in ODIs.

Once again, Rahul to the fore. In every match, we were 3-4 down relatively quickly. And, that’s when Rahul came through pretty much every time. He’s sadly the Pujara and Ashwin of test cricket—always trying to justify his place. I hope this silences his critics. He could play as a pure batsman in the team with room for Pant as a keeper if needed. But don’t know who would be dropped. He could easily take Gill’s place as an opener.

[Atithee]

And this should settle my long term wish for us to bat DEEP into the lineup. We now are well set in this format. Hope Kuldeep and Shami also focus on their batting skills.

[prasen9]

Everyone played their part. Iyer scored the most runs. Was the rock that stopped serious slides and then tuk tuk batting. Axar did bits and pieces. The other three spinners were fabulous. Shami was off-kilter in the final but took wickets in the other matches. Gill faded in the last 3 matches but hard to find fault. He did contribute valuable runs even though he was slow. Those 30 runs here and there are worth closer to 40-45 on good pitches. This was a true team effort.

Yes, Rahul batted very well in this tournament. He should always be in the ODI team and maybe the keeper in the T20I team too. Please let him get back to the domestics and do something serious before giving him more test caps.

[sameerph]

Good win. NZ kept coming back but we were always in control.

Unfortunate that we lost the WC final because of dew otherwise we would have won 3 ICC tournaments in a row without losing a single match.

Good to see you back. I was wondering where you went away and sent you a PM, good that you came back and posted here.

[PKBasu]

In many ways, CT2025 was scheduled to provide redemption to Team India -- and KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer in particular lived up to that billing. The Champions Trophy was to have been permanently scrapped -- which is why it has been 8 years since the last edition. But it has helped India to finally win another ODI world tournament, to complement last year's T20I championship. This was truly a team effort, with every member of the XI (including those who only got a game or two) contributing amply to the team's triumph.

[Rajkumar Sharma]

Should be remembered as one of the least compeitative event in ICC history

[PKBasu]

It was least competitive because India was dominant. A tautology!

Interestingly, Shubman Gill was the only Indian player below 30 years of age in the XI that played the final. Harshit Rana of course is the youngest (at 23) among all those who played for India in CT2025.

India needs to start preparing a transition plan in double quick time before the 2027 World Cup in South Africa.

[Rajkumar Sharma]

Not because of India being dominant.It seems we always need to praise our team, if personal views are given, they will be attacked in this forum.India taking advantage of venue did'nt matter till it was England & Pakistan, as they are always anti with Indian Cricket, but the moment Australia, South Africa,
Shami & Akash Chopra, entered in this debate it reached differant level. Two surfaces were totally differant. Games in Pakistan were played in flatest track, where there was no help for bowleers. 350+ targets became chasable. Dubai track offered help to spinners. 2023 WC & 2024 T20 WC was lot more interesting

[Kumar]

Not because of India being dominant.It seems we always need to praise our team, if personal views are given, they will be attacked in this forum

This is indian sports fan site. There will always be members who do not want anyone to find fault with their team. There is a reason we are called fans.. but this forum is way better when coming to tolerate opposing viewpoints. Further there are lot of members in this forum who have been super critical of this team. they have been posting for years and i am pretty sure they would not be staying on this site if they are attacked personally..

PKB is our biggest sports fan.. He will defend his team and that is his prerogative. i don’t agree with him all the time.. but i respect the way he stays optimistic and has a positive outlook even in defeat.. Sometimes i wish i could be like him.. i sincerely believe that i would enjoy sports lot more if i had his outlook..

I may not agree with you all the time, but enjoy your posts as well. I like different viewpoints, because it helps you to grow as person..

[Sin Hombre]

We missed you, SH. Where have you been? So good to have you back.

Thanks atithee and others. I have been around and following Indian sports, but needed a bit of posting break after some of the heartbreaks in Indian sports between the WC '23 loss to Australia and some of the misses at the Olympics (Vinesh DQ, archery coming close but faltering, LS losing from winning positions in both the semifinals and bronze medal match, split decision losses in boxing QFs, just missing out on the final in hockey and of course, the Pakistani winning over Neeraj in javelin). Even though I did predict 6 medals and we won 6, the number of near misses meant I needed a break.

And realistically, life has been busy.

And the wins in T20 WC, Gukesh's win in chess as well as Pragg/Arjun/Aravindh doing well and this dominant win in CT heal all wounds

[prasen9]

Welcome back!

[Atithee]

And the wins in T20 WC, Gukesh's win in chess as well as Pragg/Arjun/Aravindh doing well and this dominant win in CT heal all wounds

Indeed. Amen to that!