March 9, 2025: In a moment of jubilation, Indian cricket stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli celebrated their Champions Trophy 2025 triumph with an impromptu dandiya dance using stumps, delighting fans at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. India’s thrilling four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the final marked a triumphant return to form after their disappointing Border-Gavaskar Trophy defeat earlier this year.
Simon Doull’s Tribute to Kohli
During the post-match presentation, former New Zealand pacer Simon Doull took a moment to acknowledge Kohli’s impact on Indian cricket. Hinting at the batter’s eventual retirement, Doull remarked that Kohli would leave Indian cricket in “very capable hands.”
Kohli responded with humility, emphasizing his commitment to mentoring the next generation of players.
"Oh, for sure. I mean, as Shubman [Gill] said, I try to speak to these guys as much as possible, try to share my experience, how I've been able to play for so long, and step in wherever I can to help improve their games," Kohli said.
He further highlighted the team’s efforts to create a sustainable legacy.
"When you leave, you want to leave the place in a better position. That’s our effort—to ensure that when we are done, we have a squad that’s ready to take on the world for the next 8-10 years. These guys definitely have the talent and game awareness. Players like Shreyas [Iyer], KL [Rahul], and Hardik [Pandya] have already stepped up with impactful performances."
‘Wanted to Bounce Back After Tough Australia Tour’
India’s victory carried added significance, serving as redemption after their disappointing 1-3 series loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Kohli acknowledged the team’s determination to prove themselves on the global stage.
"Firstly, we wanted to bounce back after a tough Australia tour, wanted to win a big tournament, and we ended up doing that. It’s an amazing feeling, playing alongside such talented youngsters. They’re taking Indian cricket forward in the right direction," he said.
Despite a rare failure in the final—scoring just one run off two balls—Kohli had a stellar campaign, amassing 218 runs in five matches, including a century and a half-century.
Reflecting on India’s journey, Kohli emphasized the importance of teamwork.
"To win titles, which has kind of been missing in the past, the whole team has to step up in different games. If you see this tournament, everyone has put their hand up at some stage, and that’s why we ended up winning," he stated.
moment hai bhai moment ❤️🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/13S73htdbY
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) March 9, 2025
He concluded by praising his teammates' performances.
"People have played impactful knocks and delivered crucial spells. It’s only a collective effort that can win you a title, and I’m just so happy we were able to play as a unit and really enjoy ourselves."
With this victory, India ends its decade-long wait for an ICC trophy, reaffirming its status as a global cricketing powerhouse.
.png)
The opinions posted here do not belong to 🔰www.indiansdaily.com. The author is solely responsible for the opinions.
As per the IT policy of the Central Government, insults against an individual, community, religion or country, defamatory and inflammatory remarks, obscene and vulgar language are punishable offenses. Legal action will be taken for such expressions of opinion.