Champions Trophy: Ex-Pacer Lauds Rohit Sharma's Captaincy and Batting Performance
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Synopsis
On March 10, former Indian pacer Laxmi Ratan Shukla praised Rohit Sharma for his exceptional captaincy and batting after India triumphed over New Zealand by four wickets in the Champions Trophy final, securing their third title.
Key Takeaways
- Rohit Sharma scored 76 runs, leading India to victory.
- India has won their second ICC title in less than nine months.
- This marks India's fourth consecutive ICC final appearance.
- Gautam Gambhir's tactical choices were praised.
- Team effort was crucial in overcoming previous criticisms.
Kolkata, March 10 (NationPress) Former India fast bowler Laxmi Ratan Shukla showered accolades on Rohit Sharma's leadership and batting prowess after the Men in Blue secured a four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the final, clinching their third Champions Trophy title on Sunday.
In pursuit of 252 runs, Rohit played a crucial innings, scoring 76 runs, which included seven fours and three sixes, laying a strong foundation for the chase. Contributions also came from Shreyas Iyer (48), Axar Patel (29), Hardik Pandya (18), and KL Rahul (34 not out), helping the team cross the finish line in Dubai. This marked Rohit's first score above 30 in the tournament, having struggled to convert starts in his previous four matches.
"It was an incredible victory. There was a lot of discussion regarding Rohit Sharma's recent form, but I believed he was capable even though he was getting dismissed early. He played with caution yesterday and secured the trophy for India. Virat Kohli fell early, making the team's balance a bit shaky, but the Indian batters performed admirably to claim the trophy," Shukla remarked to IANS on Monday.
Under Rohit's captaincy, India captured their second ICC title in under nine months, following their triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup against South Africa in Bridgetown.
This victory also marked India's fourth consecutive appearance in an ICC final within two years - including the World Test Championship (WTC) in 2023, the ODI World Cup in 2023, the T20 World Cup in 2024, and the Champions Trophy in 2025. Rohit made history as the first captain in international cricket to lead a team in the finals of all four major ICC events.
Last year, the Rohit Sharma-led India team won the 2024 T20 World Cup, ending a title drought that lasted over a decade, which had begun since the Champions Trophy win under MS Dhoni in 2013.
"All the criticism faced after losses to New Zealand and Australia in Tests will vanish with this win. Rohit Sharma excelled in his captaincy and batting. Virat Kohli, despite being out of form, performed well against Pakistan and Australia, showcasing a remarkable team effort," Shukla added.
The seasoned pacer, who played three ODIs for India in 1999, also commended head coach Gautam Gambhir for his strategic brilliance in selecting mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy for the squad ahead of the tournament.
"Gautam Gambhir made a wise choice bringing Varun Chakaravarthy into the team for the slow pitches in Dubai. The pre-tournament preparations were solid, representing a well-thought-out strategy to enhance team balance. The returns of Shami, Chakaravarthy's bowling, and Kuldeep's performance in the final were integral to our success," Shukla concluded.
