Following guiding India to an unbeaten victory in the ICC Men's Champions Trophy, captain Rohit Sharma looked back at the team's journey, their resilience in overcoming obstacles, and his own outlook for the future. He spoke about India's approach, their capacity to endure adversity, and the change in their mindset since previous tournament failures.
India's Champions Trophy journey was nothing short of phenomenal. The team won the trophy by beating New Zealand by four wickets in the final at Dubai International Stadium.
"Though we lost all the five tosses, we went unbeaten. Still, we won the trophy," Rohit said. "Winning the tournament without ever losing a single game is amazing, and it gives me enormous happiness. During the tournament, we didn't even think like that, but once we sealed the victory, it hit us—how that we had been unbeaten through the whole tournament. That moment made it extra special," he said on JioHotstar.
Rohit credited the team's success to their solidarity and well-defined roles. "We have a strong team, and to play with such committed players is an honor. Each player knows what he needs to do and what he should not. Of course, feelings do get the better of you on the field. There are times when I do get overexcited, but it's for the sake of the game.". The final aim is to win, and we are willing to do anything to make it happen."
Preparation was one key factor in India's success in adjusting to conditions in the absence of Bumrah. "Post-Australia tour, we had around 20-25 days prior to the tournament. We watched ILT20 matches very closely to learn about pitch behavior and playing conditions. From that reading, we decided on the kind of bowlers required on those surfaces and planned the squad according."
Looking back at India's earlier disappointments in ICC tournaments, Rohit accepted that a mindset shift was crucial in eventually tasting success.
"It was always disappointing to miss out in big tournaments after reaching so close. In the 2015 World Cup semi-final against Australia, we committed unusual errors. The same trend continued in 2016, 2017, and even in the 2023 World Cup final," he conceded.
A sea change happened when the team prioritized team success over personal records. "Before the 2023 World Cup, we seriously considered changing our game. We weren't focused on individual achievements—hitting a hundred or taking five wickets—because at the end of the day, if the team doesn't win, the achievements become worthless. I know this the hard way in 2019. I hit five hundreds, but what was the use when we didn't win the trophy?"
Rohit also discussed what he would like other teams to think of India in the years to come. "I don't want to tell other teams how they should think about us. The one thing I would like is that they never underestimate us. Even when we are five wickets down, we have the mettle to make a comeback. Until the very last ball is delivered, our opponents should never feel relaxed about playing against us," he insisted.
While speculations persist over his future with the Indian team in the long run, Rohit confirmed that he is not planning ahead too much.
"Currently, I'm just taking things as they come. It would not be fair to think too much ahead. Right now, my concern is playing well and having the right mindset," he clarified. "I don't want to put any firm limits on whether I will or won't play in the 2027 World Cup. There's no need to make such declarations at the moment."
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