Following India’s ICC Males’s Champions Trophy 2025 triumph, key gamers Virat KohliKl happy, Hardik Pandyaand Shreyas Iyer shared their ideas on the journey, their performances, and the feelings of profitable the distinguished title.
Virat Kohli on turning expertise into success
Virat Kohli mirrored on the importance of profitable the Champions Trophy after a number of years. Chatting with Star Sports activities, he stated, “It’s been a very long time since we’ve had a Champions Trophy, and the format is absolutely good. This was our intention. After a tricky tour of Australia, we got here right here and received a giant match, which has as soon as once more boosted our confidence as a staff. All through the match, totally different gamers stepped up in numerous matches.”Kohli identified how the staff had discovered from previous failures. “There have been moments in previous tournaments the place we weren’t capable of end video games or capitalize on essential conditions. However this time, we discovered from these experiences. That’s why you again skilled gamers—they’ve confronted these moments earlier than, and while you apply these learnings and work laborious, you get an opportunity to show issues round.”
He credited KL Rahul’s ending capacity within the final two matches as proof of expertise paying off. “Once you’ve been in these conditions earlier than and couldn’t cross the road, there’s at all times a want to get one other alternative and overcome it. And that’s precisely what we did. One factor we stored emphasizing all through the match was specializing in our expertise—how good we’re, not how good the opposition is.”
Kohli, who now has 4 ICC titles to his title, referred to as it a blessing. “Profitable 4 ICC titles is really a blessing, and I contemplate myself very fortunate to have performed for therefore lengthy and achieved this.”
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KL Rahul on his first 50-over ICC title
KL Rahul, who performed a vital position in India’s title win, spoke about how particular this second was for him. “I don’t suppose there’s a greater feeling than this. I had stated this in a Star Sports activities interview a few months in the past—that my whole focus any longer is to win as many titles as potential. God has been variety to place me in conditions the place I can win video games for my staff.”He mirrored on the character of sport, acknowledging that success doesn’t at all times come instantly. “I haven’t at all times been ready to do this, however that’s the fantastic thing about sport—you retain getting alternatives. If you happen to keep humble, put your coronary heart in the best place, prepare laborious, and let your bat do the speaking, God finds methods to bless you. That’s all I can say. We work laborious all yr, all through our careers, however moments like these are actually particular.”
Hardik Pandya on self-belief and Teamwork
Hardik Pandya highlighted the staff’s self-belief and confidence, particularly after their 2024 T20 World Cup win. “We imagine in our ability set, and that’s what helped us play the model of cricket we did. There’s self-belief in everybody. Even when one in all us will get out—be it me, KL, or anybody else—we all know that as a gaggle, we will get the job performed.”
He underlined that India’s victory was not nearly particular person brilliance however a collective staff effort. “This victory wasn’t about particular person brilliance—it was an entire staff effort. Everybody contributed on the proper moments, whether or not it was an distinctive catch, a vital bowling spell, or a game-changing innings. And that’s what made this win much more particular.”
Shreyas Iyer on his journey and large performances
Shreyas Iyer described the sensation of lifting the Champions Trophy as surreal. “It’s actually laborious to place into phrases, however I’m extremely grateful and grateful. It feels recent from the within as a result of we’ve labored so laborious all year long. There have been ups and downs, however on the finish of the day, I really feel proud that I backed myself in essential conditions. My self-belief has at all times been excessive, and now, standing right here with this blazer and a medal, it’s the happiest second.”
Iyer additionally mirrored on his key contributions all through the match. “My 79-run knock towards New Zealand, after we misplaced three wickets within the powerplay, was personally very satisfying. Taking the staff to 250 from that state of affairs was a giant achievement for me, despite the fact that I missed out on 100.”
He talked about that his innings towards England within the first ODI performed a vital position in cementing his place within the squad. “Other than that, I really feel my innings towards England within the first ODI helped safe my place within the staff. And now, profitable the Champions Trophy, it truthfully appears like a fairytale.”
India’s Champions Trophy victory marks yet one more milestone for a staff that has now received two ICC titles in two years. With a robust mixture of skilled campaigners and rising skills, the squad’s confidence is at an all-time excessive, setting the stage for future success.
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