India — a country where cricket is seen not just seen as a sport, but celebrated as a religion — recently had an amazing game where the Indian Cricket Team won the 2025 International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy final against New Zealand. This win has been celebrated across the nation and is a testament to the dedication, passion and unity that this amazing game inspires.
For millions of people, especially in India, cricket is a cultural and emotional phenomenon. Every aspect of this game, from bustling streets to remote villages, the commentary and the sight of team jerseys echo a shared emotion which is most evident in India out of all the countries where this game of cricket is played. Whether in a fully packed stadium or in living rooms, Indians come together under a banner to support their team in blue, uniting people of different backgrounds. This unparalleled passion is very evident as the legends of the game are revered as deities and peoples’ spirits are dramatically uplifted because of a match. Simply put, the country’s mood can be decided by the game.
India’s journey throughout the tournament was marked by exceptional performance with strategic brilliance and unwavering team spirit. This cricket team had an unbeaten run throughout the group stages and won a masterful semi-final against Australia, setting up the stage for the grand finale against New Zealand. The team was led by Rohit Sharma, who showcased a balanced blend of experienced campaigner and talented dynamic newcomers, which made the nation to certain that another triumph was on its way; repeating the excellence that was showcased last year in T20 World Cup. An interesting fact is that hitman hasn’t won a coin toss as captain for last 12 matches in a row: the probability of achieving this unwanted feat is 0.0002441.
This much anticipated final was held at the neutral venue at the Dubai Cricket Stadium in order to maintain fairness in the midst of geopolitical tension between host Pakistan and India. After winning the toss, New Zealand team choose to bat first. After an explosive start by Sachin Ravindra, the Kiwis run rate was restricted by spin bowlers which were able to score 251 runs for a loss of 7 wickets. For India, Rohit gave an exceptional start with his half century initially backed by Shubman Gill which allowed India to chase the target of 252 runs in 50 with ease. When the final runs were scored as a boundary and the trophy was lifted, celebrations erupted nationwide. This win not only counts as another prestigious title but also reaffirmed India’s standing as the powerhouse of world cricket.
Just like at the end of T20 World Cup when the trio of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja announced retirement from T20 format, people are anticipating that one of the legends of the game might announce their retirement from One Day International (ODI) format too after the game. It left the nation with the same mixed emotions of sadness and excitement as during T20 World Cup — a vivid reminder of why cricket is more than just a sport.