The Indian cricket team faced criticism at the start of the Champions Trophy 2025, following defeats against Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Australia. These losses raised concerns about the team’s direction. However, India spectacularly rebounded, culminating in a thrilling four-wicket victory against New Zealand in the Champions Trophy 2025 final.
Speculation surrounded the future of senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in international cricket during the tournament.
While no immediate retirement announcements were made, Virat Kohli highlighted the bright future of the team after their Champions Trophy 2025 win against New Zealand.
Kohli stated, ‘It’s been incredible. We aimed to recover after a challenging Australian tour and secure a major tournament victory. Winning the Champions Trophy is fantastic. There’s immense talent in the dressing room, with players constantly striving to improve. We seniors are happy to contribute by sharing our experience, which is a key factor in this Indian team’s strength.’
He further added, ‘You aspire to compete for titles, perform under pressure, and take responsibility. Throughout the tournament, everyone in the team has stepped up and delivered impactful performances. It’s been a privilege to be part of such an exceptional team. The dedication we’ve shown in practice has made this victory even more rewarding.’
Looking ahead, Kohli expressed confidence in the team’s future. ‘When you eventually leave, you want to ensure the team is in a stronger position. I believe we have a squad capable of dominating world cricket for the next eight years. Shubman has been exceptional, Shreyas has played remarkable innings, KL has finished games effectively, and Hardik has been outstanding with the bat,’ Kohli commented.
Kohli also praised the New Zealand team, ‘New Zealand is always impressive with their capabilities, especially considering their relatively smaller talent pool. They consistently execute their strategies effectively and maintain a competitive edge. Their attacking mindset and support for bowlers are commendable. They are undoubtedly the best fielding side. While it’s disappointing to see my good friend Kane Williamson on the losing side, their consistent performance and strong fundamentals make them a formidable unit.’
