Achieving Unbeaten Glory: Rohit Sharma Reflects on India's CT 2025 Victory

New Delhi, March 10 (NationPress) After steering India to an unbeaten ICC Men’s Champions Trophy triumph, captain Rohit Sharma discussed the team’s journey, the challenges they faced, and his personal vision for the future. Rohit provided insights into India’s strategy, their capability to manage adversity, and the transformation of their mindset following past tournament disappointments. India’s Champions Trophy adventure was truly exceptional. In the finale, they triumphed over New Zealand by four wickets at the Dubai International Stadium.

“We achieved this victory without losing a match, despite losing all five tosses. Winning a tournament without a single defeat is a tremendous accomplishment, and it fills me with great pride. Until we lifted the trophy, no one really considered it. But after the win, it dawned on us—we had completed the entire tournament unbeaten. That realization made it even more significant,” Rohit expressed on JioHotstar.

Rohit attributed the team’s success to their unity and clarity of roles. “Our team is incredibly strong, and it’s a delight to play alongside such dedicated individuals. Everyone understands their role and responsibilities—what actions to take and what to avoid. Emotions do run high during matches. At times, I may get a bit carried away, but it’s all in the spirit of the game. The ultimate goal is to win, and we are prepared to do whatever is necessary to achieve that.”

He emphasized that preparation was crucial for India to adapt to conditions even in the absence of Bumrah. “After our tour of Australia, we had about 20-25 days before the tournament. We closely followed the ILT20 matches to analyze the pitches and playing conditions. We assessed what types of bowlers were needed for those surfaces and shaped our squad accordingly.”

Reflecting on previous failures in ICC tournaments, Rohit pointed out a significant shift in mindset that enabled them to finally secure victory.

“It was always unfortunate that we came so close to winning major tournaments but fell short. In the 2015 World Cup semi-final against Australia, we made errors we hadn’t made in earlier matches. The same happened in 2016, 2017, and even the 2023 World Cup final,” he acknowledged.

The pivotal moment came when the team decided to prioritize collective success over individual milestones. “Before the 2023 World Cup, we had serious discussions about changing our mindset. The focus shifted away from personal achievements—like scoring a century or taking five wickets—because ultimately, if the team doesn’t win, those accomplishments are meaningless. I learned this the hard way in 2019. I scored five centuries, but what did it matter when we didn’t win the trophy?”

Rohit also spoke about how he wants other teams to perceive India in the future. “I don’t want to dictate how other teams should view us. The only thing I wish for is for them never to underestimate us. Even if we are five wickets down, we have the potential to fight back and change the game. Until the last ball is bowled, our opponents should always feel the pressure of competing against us,” he asserted.

While there is ongoing speculation about Rohit Sharma’s long-term future with the Indian team, the captain clarified that he is not thinking too far ahead.

“At this moment, I am taking things as they come. It wouldn’t be fair for me to ponder too far down the line. Right now, my focus is on performing well and maintaining the right mindset,” he stated. “I don’t want to set any boundaries and say whether I will or won’t participate in the 2027 World Cup. There’s no point in making such declarations at this time.”