Rohit Sharma delivered a masterclass under pressure, playing one of the most memorable knocks in the history of the ICC Champions Trophy finals. His aggressive half-century set the tone for India’s four-wicket victory over New Zealand at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, March 9. The win secured India’s second consecutive ICC title, further cementing their dominance in world cricket.
Chasing a tricky target of 252 on a sluggish surface, Rohit wasted no time in asserting his authority. He took the attack to New Zealand’s pacers, putting them on the back foot right from the start. With impeccable timing and fearless strokeplay, he raced to his half-century in just 41 balls, ensuring India maintained a strong scoring rate despite the challenging conditions.
Eventually, the Indian captain fell for a well-crafted 76 off 83 deliveries, having struck seven boundaries and three towering sixes. Notably, this was Rohit’s first fifty in the history of the Champions Trophy, making it even more special.
As India sealed the victory in the 49th over, Rohit couldn’t contain his joy. The 37-year-old was soon asked the inevitable question—was this his final international match? His swift denial brought immense relief to Indian fans, many of whom had been speculating about his future.
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During the celebrations, Rohit and Virat Kohli shared a candid moment that instantly went viral. Holding the stumps as souvenirs, the duo posed for the cameras when Rohit, known for his unfiltered reactions, turned to Kohli and quipped, “Mereko retirement ki bol rahe the ben ke lde, M* k ch*t inki.” Kohli burst into laughter at Rohit’s trademark blunt humor, giving his long-time teammate a high-five and a warm hug.
ROHIT SHARMA SAID IT ☠️
Rohit – “mereko retirement ki bol rahe the bkl, Mkc inki”🤣
Virat -🤣#INDvsNZ #Rohit #INDIAWON #Jadeja #ChampionsTrophy2025 #KLRahul pic.twitter.com/SpeCyWBa0C
— 🏏CricketFeed (@CricketFeedIN) March 9, 2025
While Rohit played a match-winning role in the final, Virat Kohli endured a rare failure, managing just one run before falling to Michael Bracewell. However, Kohli’s overall tournament performance was impressive. He finished as India’s second-highest run-scorer behind Shreyas Iyer, amassing 218 runs in five innings at an outstanding average of 54.50. His campaign included a crucial century against Pakistan in the group stage and a composed half-century in the semi-final against Australia.
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With India clinching yet another ICC trophy, the camaraderie between Rohit and Kohli added an emotional touch to the celebrations. While their competitive spirits have often defined India’s success over the years, this moment of pure joy and banter reminded fans of their deep-rooted friendship and shared passion for the game.
