Reactions from Indian players after their Champions Trophy victory against New Zealand in Dubai.
KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja celebrate their win
India secured their third Champions Trophy title by defeating New Zealand by four wickets in a thrilling final. Here’s what the Indian players had to say after their win.
KL Rahul: ‘I’m not sure if I should say this on camera, but I was extremely nervous towards the end. However, knowing we still had capable batsmen to come, I felt confident we could clinch the victory.’
‘In crucial moments like these, especially in major games, maintaining composure is key, as we all know. It’s challenging, but I’m thrilled we won and managed to cross the finish line this time. I believe I’ve faced similar pressure situations in three out of our five matches. And in one game against Pakistan, I didn’t even get to bat.’
‘These games have provided valuable time in the middle and excellent preparation for significant moments like this. It’s hard to articulate, but it comes down to pure skill and the cricket we’ve honed since childhood. We’ve overcome numerous challenges and faced pressure from the moment we picked up a bat and decided to pursue professional cricket. I credit first-class cricket and the BCCI for nurturing every player and every talented individual. They provide us with opportunities and platforms to showcase our abilities, put ourselves under pressure, and continuously improve.’
Hardik Pandya: ‘Winning an ICC event, particularly the Champions Trophy, is always incredible. I vividly remember 2017 and our near miss. But I’m very pleased with our performance throughout this tournament and the contributions from everyone. It was truly fantastic.’
‘KL Rahul was brilliant – calm and composed. He seized his opportunities perfectly. That’s the essence of KL Rahul. He’s immensely talented, and his ball-striking is unmatched. Today was a demonstration of his capabilities.’
Varun Chakravarthy: ‘Being a late addition to the squad, I didn’t anticipate such an outcome; it’s a dream realized. It was favorable because spin was less effective in the first innings, requiring us to maintain discipline and target the stumps.’
Shreyas Iyer: ‘Honestly, I’m ecstatic. It’s an indescribable feeling. My first ICC trophy, and I’m overwhelmed. Looking at everyone in the dressing room and how we’ve performed this tournament, our progress has been simply magnificent.’
‘I actually thrive under pressure and love challenges. I’ve been getting good starts this tournament but haven’t converted them into big scores. However, contributing to the team’s victory is immensely satisfying, and I’m genuinely happy.’
Shubman Gill: ‘It feels amazing. I mostly enjoyed Rohit’s batting from the non-striker’s end, but we constantly communicated, and that opening partnership was crucial. It’s incredibly satisfying, especially after missing out in 2023. Winning this, following our ODI series win in England and eight consecutive ODI victories, is surreal.’
‘Watching Virat Kohli on TV as a child and now playing alongside him, observing his intensity is phenomenal. He exemplifies giving your all to the game, which he emphasizes both on and off the field. His commitment to his words is truly inspiring.’
Ravindra Jadeja: ‘With my batting position, I often become either the hero or the one who finishes it off. Hardik and KL built a crucial partnership in the last ten overs because the pitch wasn’t easy for new batsmen. Their partnership shifted the game’s momentum.’
‘This victory means a lot to India. Being part of such a team, it would be disappointing to not win major tournaments after so many years. Fortunately, in the last two years, we’ve won the T20 World Cup and now the Champions Trophy, which is fantastic for Indian cricket.’
Kuldeep Yadav: ‘Luckily, I didn’t need to bat. Credit to KL and Jaddu for finishing the game. There are always high expectations when you perform well consistently and enter tournaments as favorites, though I don’t believe in the favorites tag. We’ve played excellent cricket recently, and I dedicate this win to our fans, who have immense expectations.’
‘Rohit managed the four spinners exceptionally well, which is challenging. He read the batsmen and situations perfectly, deciding who to bowl when. We had detailed plans based on their batting lineup. It was outstanding.’
‘A big celebration is definitely coming, and the whole of India will be celebrating tonight.’
