Kohli Credits Team Effort for India’s ICC Champions Trophy Triumph

Kohli Hails India’s Team Effort as Key to ICC Champions Trophy Victory

India’s triumph in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy was a result of a collective effort, says Virat Kohli, as the team overcame New Zealand in a high-pressure final in Dubai. The victory, achieved with one over to spare while chasing 252, marked India’s third Champions Trophy win, further solidifying their dominance in ICC tournaments.

With Rohit Sharma leading from the front with a composed 76 and the spinners playing a crucial role in restricting New Zealand, Kohli believes India’s ability to step up in critical moments defined their campaign.

“These are the things you look forward to after playing cricket for so long,” said Kohli, reflecting on the team’s performance. “It’s about standing up in pressure situations, absorbing the intensity, and delivering when it matters. In the past, we missed out on titles because we lacked those collective performances. But this time, in every game, someone raised their hand and took responsibility.”

Individual Brilliance Paves the Way for Collective Success

Kohli himself played a pivotal role in India’s journey to the title, scoring an unbeaten century against Pakistan and a crucial 84 in the semi-final against Australia. But for the former captain, the biggest takeaway was how different players contributed at various stages of the tournament.

Varun Chakravarthy’s stunning five-wicket haul against New Zealand in the group stage, Shubman Gill’s unbeaten 101 against Bangladesh, and Mohammed Shami’s consistent wicket-taking abilities were all instrumental in India’s unbeaten run.

Shreyas Iyer also played a vital role in the final, scoring 48 to stabilize the chase, underlining the depth and resilience of the Indian lineup.

“That’s why we won,” Kohli emphasized. “Everyone had an impact whether it was with the bat, the ball, or in the field. You can’t win a tournament of this magnitude without a collective effort. The way we played together, enjoyed our cricket, and backed each other was incredible. It was a memorable tournament for all of us.”

New Zealand Praises India’s Dominant Spin Attack

New Zealand’s captain, Mitchell Santner, acknowledged that India’s spinners played a defining role in restricting his team to 251/7. The combined efforts of Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja saw them bowl a remarkable 38 overs in the final, conceding runs at an economy rate of under four while taking five crucial wickets.

Santner admitted that his team struggled to counter India’s spin quartet, particularly after losing wickets post the powerplay.

“They bowled exceptionally well,” Santner remarked. “Once we lost a few wickets early, their spinners applied pressure, and it was tough to get momentum. All four of them are world-class, and they showed that today.”

New Zealand had hoped to post a bigger total but fell short by 20-25 runs, something Santner felt could have made the difference in a high-stakes final.

“We knew 251 was something to fight with, but we probably needed a few more to push India harder,” he added. “We gave it everything in the field, but credit to India they handled the chase well.”

India’s Title Marks a New Chapter in Their Cricketing Legacy

With this victory, India became the first team to win the ICC Champions Trophy three times, adding to their previous triumphs in 2002 and 2013. Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, the team’s adaptability in different conditions, and their fearless approach to big matches played a vital role in the title run.

For Indian cricket fans, this win will be remembered as a statement of intent ahead of future ICC tournaments. With a blend of experienced stalwarts like Kohli and Rohit and emerging stars like Gill and Chakravarthy, the team appears well-positioned for continued success on the global stage.