"Never take us lightly, opponents should feel pressure ": Rohit on India's Champions Trophy triumph
Mar 10, 2025

Dubai [UAE], March 10 : India secured their third ICC Champions Trophy title in style, defeating New Zealand by four wickets in the final in Dubai on Sunday. The victory was a testament to the team's resilience and all-round performance, with captain Rohit Sharma leading from the front in the final.
Rohit emphasized India's fighting spirit and the legacy they aim to establish in world cricket.
"I don't want to dictate how other teams should perceive us. The only thing I want is for them to never take us lightly. Even if we are five wickets down, we have the ability to fight back and turn the game around. Until the last ball of the match is bowled, our opponents should always feel the pressure of playing against us," Rohit told JioHotstar.
The Indian skipper highlighted the team's never-say-die attitude in both batting and bowling.
"Similarly, when we bowl, this team never gives up. That is the kind of legacy we want to create and leave behind. We take immense pride in being a clinical and well-organized team," he added.
India's triumph was built on an all-round performance, with contributions from both batters and bowlers. Rohit Sharma led from the front with a match-winning 76, setting the tone for the chase. Shreyas Iyer played a crucial knock of 48 in the middle order, ensuring stability.
The Indian spinners played a decisive role, with Varun Chakravarthy (2/45) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/40) delivering fine spells to restrict New Zealand. Their disciplined bowling created pressure, which eventually helped India take control of the game.
Rohit stressed that every player in the Indian squad is aware of their role and executes it with precision.
"Every player in our squad knows exactly what is expected of them and how to execute their role. When other teams watch us play, I want them to recognize our resilience and belief--the mindset that we can win from any situation," he stated.
With this victory, India reaffirmed their status as one of the most dominant teams in international cricket. Rohit's Player of the Match performance in the final also solidified his leadership credentials.