BCCI wholeheartedly hails India’s unbeaten run in ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Pakistan News & Features Services

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has congratulated Team India on their magnificent triumph in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 which concluded on March 9. India showcased their cricketing supremacy, emerging victorious in dominant fashion and reaffirming their place as the top-ranked side in both ODIs and T20Is.

“From the very outset, the team pursued excellence, overcoming formidable challenges with a brand of cricket that was both fearless and disciplined. Their unbeaten run in an ICC tournament is a true reflection of their consistency, strategic execution, and hunger to succeed on the global stage. The final against New Zealand was the perfect culmination of this journey - an exhibition of resilience and high-pressure mastery,” the BCCI noted. 

The BCCI extended its highest commendation to captain Rohit Sharma, whose exemplary leadership and tactical acumen were instrumental in guiding the team to this historic achievement. 

“His ability to inspire and lead by example played a defining role in India's victorious campaign. Notably, this marked India's second successive ICC title under his leadership in as many years, following the triumphant T20 World Cup 2024 victory. These twin titles firmly establish his legacy as one of India’s finest and most successful captains.” 

 The BCCI also lauded the role of Head Coach Gautam Gambhir, whose fearless approach and tactical insight were key to shaping this winning team. His emphasis on self-belief and strategic execution was evident in the way the players carried themselves throughout the competition. The BCCI congratulated the players, coaching staff, support personnel and the selection committee for this phenomenal accomplishment.

“This triumph is a landmark moment for Indian cricket, following the high of last year’s T20 World Cup success. To dominate yet another global tournament and bring home the Champions Trophy is a phenomenal achievement. The team has played with unparalleled consistency and character, and I congratulate captain Rohit Sharma, Head Coach Gautam Gambhir, and the entire squad for their historic success,” Roger Binny, President, BCCI, recognized. 

“This victory is a testament to the talent and perseverance of Indian cricket. The way this team has performed under pressure and delivered in crucial moments is truly commendable. Congratulations to every player, the support staff, selection committee and the fans who have stood by the team,” Devajit Saikia, Honorary Secretary, BCCI, declared. 

“Winning an ICC title is always a special achievement, and this team has done it in dominant fashion. The seamless blend of experience and youthful energy has been remarkable, and this triumph will serve as inspiration for future generations of Indian cricket,” Rajeev Shukla, Vice-President, BCCI, reckoned. 

“India’s triumph in the Champions Trophy 2025 is a reflection of their perseverance, meticulous preparation, and fearless execution. The team has showcased exceptional skill and unity, making the entire nation proud. This is a special win and will be remembered for years to come,” Prabhtej Singh Bhatia, Treasurer, BCCI, noted. 

“The Champions Trophy 2025 victory is the result of relentless hard work and determination. Team India has exhibited outstanding teamwork, and this success highlights the depth and strength of Indian cricket. This is indeed a proud moment for the entire nation,” Rohan Gauns Dessai, Honorary Joint Secretary, BCCI, added.

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Non-presence of hosts PCB at CT presentation ceremony astonishing

By Ehsan Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Pakistan were the hosts of 9th edition of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with the majority of its matches were staged at the three major venues of the country, Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi. 

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) invited and hosted the top officials of the International Cricket Council (ICC) during the course of the tournament. The Vice of President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Rajeev Shukla, also came over to Lahore to watch one of the matches. 

It was astonishing, however, not to find any representative of the PCB at the podium during the glamorous presentation ceremony of the Champions Trophy, soon after the conclusion of the final between India and New Zealand, in Dubai on March 9. 

The ICC Chairman, Jay Shah, dominated the proceedings alongwith the BCCI President, Roger Binny. 

It was also noted that the PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, was not present on the occasion. According to reports, the PCB Chief Executive, Sumair Ahmed, was available at Dubai International Cricket Stadium but he was not invited at the podium. 

The experts as well as cricket enthusiasts in Pakistan could not comprehend the reasons of the non-presence of the hosts at the podium during the presentation ceremony. It could not be ascertained whether this was done by mutual understanding or not. 

Pakistan’s speed merchant, Shoaib Akhtar, famously known as the Rawalpindi Express, also expressed his surprise at not finding the presence of any PCB official at the podium, despite being the hosts.

Earlier during the India-Bangladesh match in Dubai, the name of hosts was found missing. The ICC officials regretted the mistake when the matter was taken up by the PCB.

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Rohit Sharma’s captain knock helps India recapture Champions Trophy crown

By Ehsan Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma, under fire for not producing big knocks on a consistent basis of late, silenced his critics by smashing a spectacular 76 off 83 balls to lead India to their second ICC Champions Trophy crown in 12 years with a hard-fought four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the final on March 9. 

Sharma, eager to dominate from the outset, shared a superb century opening stand with Shubman Gill to set the tone for victory as India, chasing a target of 252, overhauled it for the loss of six wickets with one over to spare at Dubai International Stadium. 

It was India’s second successive title victory in an ICC event, under the leadership of Sharma, after having won the ICC T20 World Cup in the West Indies last year. 

New Zealand, captained by Mitchell Santner, deserved the credit for not only reaching the final but also giving the hot-favourites India a run for their money in the title clash despite defending a below par total. 

They had a consolation when their rising star all-rounder Rachin Ravindra was named player of the tournament for his 263 runs in the competition. 

As expected, it was the brilliant fielding which brought the New Zealanders back in the hunt after an early finished loomed on the horizon after the sensational start given by Sharma and Gill. 

The Indian openers were milking runs at will, playing risk-free cricket after the early onslaught. Gill cover drove Santner uppishly with usual power but Glenn Phillips brought off an unbelievable sort of catch to break the threatening partnership against the run of play. 

Virat Kohli, in sublime form after match-winning knock in the semifinal, timed the first delivery he faced with perfection to get off the mark right away. 

But he was undone on the very next ball as off-spinner Michael Bracewell struck with his opening delivery. The capacity crowd went silent as even the review could not save Kohli. 

Perturbed by the loss of two wickets in three balls, Sharma went into a shell which allowed the spinners, even part-timers, to dictate terms. The skipper was stumped, trying to break the shackles, and the match became wide open with India sliding to 122 for three in the 27th over. 

Shreyas Iyer (48 off 62 balls) and Axar Patel (29 off 40 balls) added 61 runs for the fourth wicket to put the Indian innings back on track. After their departure in quick succession, KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya batted well to sustain the momentum. 

Yet again, Rahul demonstrated patience and played intelligently to remain undefeated on 34 off 33 balls with one four and six. Pandya left after scoring 18 off as many balls.

Coming into bat at number eight, Ravindra Jadeja hit the winning boundary to the delight and cheers of jampacked stadium. The victory was completed in the penultimate over. Once again, the Indians managed to chase successfully despite the pitch having become slow in the second half of the match.

Earlier in the afternoon, after crawling in the middle overs, New Zealand mustered 251 for seven in their 50 overs thanks to rapid unbeaten 53 off 40 balls by Micheal Bracewell and a somewhat struggling 63 off 101 balls from Daryl Mitchell. 

Benefitting from a couple of dropped catches, New Zealand picked up momentum with Ravindra, the beneficiary on both occasions, taking 16 runs off a Hardik Pandya over with two boundaries and a six. They raced to 69 for one in powerplay which was quite a decent effort. 

It was left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav who dented New Zealand with the key wickets of Ravindra and Kane Williamson in his opening burst. He was summoned into the attack earlier than usual, after pacemen Mohammad Shami and Pandya leaked far too runs with the new ball. 

The Blackcaps were forced to rebuild their innings after being reduced to 75 for three in the 13th over. Tom Latham and Mitchell were content in pushing for singles as the quartet of Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jadeja and Patel suffocated them with very tight and smart bowling. 

Phillips, having scored briskly throughout the tournament, played a few aggressive shots before being cleaned by Chakaravarthy. Mitchell was unable to dominate the spinning quartet who conceded 144 runs in 38 overs between them, taking five wickets. Yadav captured two wickets for 40 runs while Chakaravarthy got two wickets for 45 runs. 

New Zealand's eventual total got some respectability as they added 79 runs in the last 10 overs with Bracewell, riding his luck, to do bulk of the scoring. He was particularly severe on India’s spearhead Shami, who uncharacteristically, went for 74 runs in his nine overs.

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