Subhechcha Ganguly 
National Sports Conclave – Delhi
The silverware took a long time to come; however, in the past 8-9 months, the Indian men’s cricket team have been in phenomenal touch, and it was Advantage India during the Champions Trophy, which was played in a hybrid model between Dubai, and India’s neighbouring country.
While a lot was spoken about India making Dubai their home base during the Champions Trophy, with other teams having intercity and international travel to deal with; India was the better side throughout the tournament having continued their dominance in this format of the game, and playing deep with a perfect mix of specialists, all-rounders and on-field brilliance.
From the first game to the grand finale, the Indian team under Rohit Sharma were confident of their abilities, executed their plans to the ‘T’, worked with the support staff to iron out any chinks in their armour, and always chipped in with the wickets or crucial runs during match situations.
The idea of playing four spinners in a slow-balling friendly pitch and batting deep were some plans that worked in team India’s favour.
Along the way, this collective unit was seen enjoying each other’s company, learning from each other, and encouraging each player while in the middle.
One must commend Rohit Sharma for marshalling his troops well, with Kohli finding form at crucial moments, and Gill and Iyer playing perfect foil whenever needed. Multi-utility players like Axar, Pandya, Rahul, and Jadeja had the presence of mind in each match to assess the situation, play overs as per their merit and take the team over the line, when chases became tricky. An extra word of appreciation for KL Rahul for being safe as a house behind the wickets and using his experience in finishing games whenever it was needed!
Let’s also applaud how the spinners have operated in tandem and during special spells right through the tournament. The commentators have been reaping rich praise on Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav for spinning a web around the opposition and returning with a Rick haul of wickets. Their individual abilities to take wickets in clusters and allow Team India to always keep the momentum on their side is a valuable skill to have. The fast bowling exponents had to be judiciously used considering the nature of the pitch, and Mohammed Shami, Harshit Rana, and Hardik Pandya brought out their variations and pitched the balls in the right areas, getting fantastic purchase from the wicket and rocking the opposition whenever they were given the ball. All in all, a brilliant display of skills, match awareness and mental strength to win an entire tournament without dropping even a match!
When the final statistics are out, one will learn that India outplayed all the top oppositions, despite so much being talked about by cricket pundits, if Team India could soak up the pressure! This bunch of players did it so well and ensured a third Champions Trophy would be sitting in the BCCI’s cabinet and creating cricketing memories for generations to cherish!
Thanks to Team India, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and all the players who made the victory possible. So many top players weren’t used during the tournament. However, one must credit their efforts in keeping the environment within the dressing room upbeat and enjoyable! This speaks volumes about the team’s reserves and the self-belief that each player has!
This win must instil more belief and pride in the nation and the future players. They have a legacy to be proud of, and they must continue to add to it, as India rises and becomes a cricketing superpower.
It’s been a victory for the ages! The Champions Trophy is ours. Let’s prepare for the next set of tournaments and ICC marquee events. May the Indian flag flutter magnificently wherever we set foot and let’s win many more trophies in the years ahead.
Celebrate this sweet victory! It means the world to 1.4 billion people and other lovers of cricket.
Hello Champions! The euphoria is on, and let’s be prepared to win and experience greatness always!
All the best for the future, Team India! Amazing, stunning, delightful!
