NEW DELHI: Why did the Indian think tank opt for five spinners? Would the Dubai conditions favour Team India? Did India’s pace attack look vulnerable, especially with Mohammed Shami just returning from injury and Jasprit Bumrah being unavailable? Could India replicate their 2013 Champions Trophy glory?
All questions were put to rest as India defeated New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.
This win marked India’s second ICC title in just nine months. They had previously clinched the 2024 T20 World Cup in June, defeating South Africa in the final in Barbados.
But what were the key decisions that propelled Team India to glory in the prestigious eight-team tournament?
AXAR AT NUMBER 5
Many were surprised when the Indian team management promoted all-rounder Axar Patel to bat at No. 5. However, the team’s trust in him was unwavering, and the Gujarat cricketer repaid that faith with crucial contributions throughout the tournament.
After paltry contributions of 8 and 3 against Bangladesh and Pakistan, respectively, the left-hander made the upgrade count versus New Zealand in India’s final group stage game. After being put into bat, India suffered a top-order collapse, losing Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli within the first seven overs for just 30 runs.
Also read: Rohit Sharma reveals India’s ‘silent hero’ in Champions Trophy triumph
Stepping up under pressure, Axar played a crucial knock of 42, stitching a crucial partnership with Shreyas Iyer to take the innings forward.
In the semi-final against Australia, Axar once again delivered when it mattered, scoring a composed 27 off 30 balls. Recognising his ability to handle high-pressure situations, Rohit continued to back him at No. 5 in the final against New Zealand.
The 31-year-old contributed a valuable 29 off 40 balls and was involved in yet another crucial 50-plus partnership with Iyer and put India in the driver’s seat. Axar signed off the tournament with 109 runs in five matches.
KL RAHUL OVER PANT
The KL Rahul vs Rishabh Pant debate gained momentum ahead of the Champions Trophy, but head coach Gautam Gambhir firmly backed KL Rahul.
Also read: ICC victories are not so easy to get: KL Rahul after Champions Trophy win
While Pant is known for his explosive batting, Gambhir prioritised stability in the middle order — someone who could anchor the innings, accelerate when needed, and play a pivotal role behind the stumps. That’s where KL Rahul became the ideal choice.
“KL Rahul is our No 1 wicketkeeper and this is what I can say at the moment. Rishabh Pant will get his chance but at the moment it is KL who has done well and we cannot play two wicketkeeper-batters,” Gambhir had said before the Champions Trophy.
The pain of losing the ODI World Cup final still lingered for Rahul. He had been in sublime form during the tournament, scoring 452 runs in 11 matches at an impressive average of 75.33.
Despite his stellar performances in the 2023 ODI World Cup, he was overlooked for the T20 World Cup.
All KL Rahul needed was another chance, and he got it in the Champions Trophy.
KL Rahul was not just exceptional with the bat but also played a crucial role behind the stumps – guiding bowlers, assisting Rohit with DRS calls, and maintaining composure under pressure.
He remained unbeaten on 41 against Bangladesh, scored 23 against New Zealand, contributed an unbeaten 42 in the semi-final against Australia, and anchored India’s chase with a steady 34* in the final against New Zealand.
His unbeaten knocks, especially coming in at number six, were clear signs that he had the ability to take the game away from any situation — and that’s exactly what he did throughout the competition.
The emotions were palpable when KL Rahul finally laid his hands on the Champions Trophy – his maiden ICC title.
VARUN CHAKARAVARTHY IN SQUAD
“He has got something different about him – I have said it many times,” were Rohit’s words while describing Varun Chakravarthy after India’s Champions Trophy win.
In the opening match against Bangladesh, the pacers dominated, with Mohammed Shami taking a five-wicket haul and Harshit Rana picking up three. Rohit stuck with the same lineup against Pakistan, but this time, the spinners took center stage as Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel shared five wickets between them.
With back-to-back wins securing India’s spot in the semifinals, their final group-stage game against fellow semifinalists New Zealand became a dead rubber.
It was here that Rohit’s tactical shift towards spin came into play, answering the questions surrounding the decision to include five spinners in the squad.
The management chose to back Varun ahead of Washington Sundar, despite Sundar’s consistent performances recently.
The move paid off as Varun justified the captain’s faith, dismantling New Zealand’s batting order with a brilliant five-wicket haul in their chase of 250. His victims included Will Young, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, and Matt Henry. His match-winning spell earned him the Player of the Match award.
Rohit retained the same XI for the semi-final against Australia, and once again, Varun stepped up, delivering a crucial breakthrough by dismissing Travis Head — Australia’s biggest threat. He finished the match with two wickets.
In the final, Varun tightened his grip on the New Zealand batters with his wide array of variations — wrong’uns, googlies, leg-spin, off-spin, carrom balls, and more. He first removed Will Young before getting rid of the dangerous Glenn Phillips, further crippling New Zealand’s batting lineup.
Varun finished as India’s highest wicket-taker in the tournament and the second-highest overall, claiming nine wickets in just three matches.
“He didn’t start off in the tournament for us, but when he played against New Zealand and he got five wickets, we saw the kind of ability he possesses with the ball, and we wanted to maximize that—and he did not disappoint. He has got great quality about his bowling, and luckily for us, it came to use at various times,” added Rohit in praise for the 33-year-old who definitely shed his UAE demons of the past.
