India’s triumph in the Champions Trophy 2025 was nothing short of spectacular. Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, the Indian team dominated the tournament, winning all five of their matches before securing the trophy in Dubai on Sunday. In the final, India successfully chased down 252 runs against New Zealand on a tricky pitch, claiming their third Champions Trophy title.

While the team as a whole performed exceptionally well, one player received special praise from Rohit Sharma – Shreyas Iyer. The middle-order batter played a crucial role in India’s success, forming important partnerships and providing stability in pressure situations. Sharma hailed Iyer as the “silent hero” of the tournament, acknowledging his consistency and ability to handle challenging conditions.

Shreyas Iyer – The Unsung Hero of India’s Title Run

Shreyas Iyer finished as India’s leading run-scorer in the Champions Trophy 2025, accumulating 243 runs in five innings at an impressive average of 48.60. His presence in the middle order provided the much-needed resilience India required to recover from difficult situations.

Batting at the critical No. 4 position, Iyer ensured that India avoided batting collapses. His partnerships helped relieve pressure off other batters, and his ability to find boundaries in crucial moments proved to be a game-changer.

Speaking to reporters, Rohit Sharma highlighted Iyer’s impact on the team, stating:

“Not to forget the silent hero – Shreyas Iyer. He was brilliant throughout the tournament. He played a very important role in the middle phase, building partnerships with whoever was at the crease.”

Sharma particularly emphasized Iyer’s role in India’s semifinal clash against Australia, where his crucial partnership with Virat Kohli turned the game in India’s favor. He also highlighted Iyer’s key contributions in matches against Pakistan and New Zealand, as well as in the final against New Zealand when India lost three quick wickets after Sharma’s dismissal.

“That semifinal against Australia was crucial, with him and Virat building a strong partnership. Even against Pakistan and New Zealand, and again in the final today, when we lost three quick wickets, Shreyas and Axar Patel formed a crucial 50-70 run partnership to steady the innings,” Sharma added.

India’s Adaptability in Dubai Conditions

One of the standout aspects of India’s Champions Trophy campaign was the way they adapted to the conditions in Dubai. The slow, dry pitches posed a challenge for batters, yet the Indian team adjusted their gameplay efficiently.

Rohit Sharma expressed his pride in the team’s ability to handle these conditions.

“I am very proud of this team. We knew the conditions wouldn’t be easy, but we adapted well. Look at all our matches – in the first game against Bangladesh, we had a 230-run target, but we knew the pitch was slow and required big partnerships. Our batters responded well.”

The ability to read match situations and build meaningful partnerships helped India succeed throughout the tournament. Sharma credited his team for their smart approach, which reduced his workload as a captain.

“When players perform like this and adapt to conditions well, it makes my job easier. I don’t have to guide them too much – they understand their responsibilities.”

India’s Bowling Dominance – Restricting Opponents Below 250

While India’s batting lineup played a crucial role in their success, the bowlers also delivered exceptional performances. India’s ability to restrict teams below 250 runs on multiple occasions was a major reason behind their dominance.

There was speculation that India’s success was due to the slow pitches favoring spinners, but Rohit Sharma dismissed such claims. He clarified that the ball wasn’t turning as much as people assumed, making it just as challenging for spinners as it was for pacers.

“Not to forget the bowlers – keeping teams under 250-240 runs on these wickets is a big achievement. People assumed the pitch would favor spinners, but if you saw the matches, the ball wasn’t turning much. As a batter, you don’t have to worry about spin as much as about the deliveries coming straight, which happens 70-80% of the time.”

Key Performances That Led India to Victory

India’s Champions Trophy 2025 campaign was marked by standout performances from both batters and bowlers. Some of the most crucial contributions included:

1. Shreyas Iyer’s Consistency – Leading run-scorer for India, anchoring innings and forming crucial partnerships.
2. Virat Kohli’s Experience – Played crucial knocks, particularly in pressure situations like the semifinal against Australia.
3. Axar Patel’s All-Round Performance – Contributed with both bat and ball, forming a key partnership with Iyer in the final.
4. Bowling Unit’s Discipline – Restricting strong teams like Pakistan, Australia, and New Zealand to low scores.
5. Rohit Sharma’s Leadership – Tactically sound captaincy that helped India navigate tough conditions.

India’s Third Champions Trophy Win – A Historic Achievement

With this victory, India has now won the Champions Trophy three times, making them one of the most successful teams in the tournament’s history. The win in Dubai cements India’s reputation as a dominant force in world cricket.

Rohit Sharma’s side showed remarkable resilience, adaptability, and teamwork, which were the key factors behind their unbeaten campaign. Every match presented different challenges, but India overcame each hurdle with confidence.

Looking Ahead – What’s Next for Team India?

Following their Champions Trophy victory, the Indian team now sets its sights on upcoming international fixtures, including preparations for the 2027 Cricket World Cup. Rohit Sharma, when asked about future tournaments, remained focused but did not commit to long-term predictions.

“We are happy with this victory, but our journey continues. We will take things one step at a time and focus on upcoming series.”

India’s young talents, combined with experienced players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah, make them a strong contender for future tournaments. With key performances from the middle order and a well-balanced bowling attack, India is in a strong position moving forward.

India’s Champions Trophy 2025 victory was a testament to their teamwork, adaptability, and resilience. Shreyas Iyer’s crucial contributions in the middle order, Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, and India’s disciplined bowling attack played a major role in securing the title.

With their third Champions Trophy win, India has once again proven why they are a force to be reckoned with in world cricket. The focus now shifts to future tournaments, but for now, the team and fans can celebrate this historic triumph.

Stay tuned for more updates on Team India’s journey in international cricket.