Rohit Sharma joins Imran Khan in elite list after Champions Trophy victory

India's captain, Rohit Sharma, made history on Sunday, March 9, by guiding his team to a victorious ICC Champions Trophy 2025 title. The win marked a significant achievement for the 37-year-old, who now joins cricket legends like Imran Khan, Ricky Ponting and Clive Lloyd in an exclusive club of captains who have led their teams to triumph in major ICC tournaments.

Rohit’s captaincy in the high-stakes final against New Zealand at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium was exceptional. Despite losing the toss, Rohit’s tactical bowling changes and field placements helped India restrict New Zealand to a total of 251/7 in their 50 overs, setting a target that was achievable for his team.

In India’s chase, Rohit provided a solid start, allowing his opening partner, Shubman Gill, to settle in while attacking the New Zealand bowlers. He played an aggressive knock, smashing 76 runs off 83 balls, including seven fours and three sixes. His partnership with Gill, which was crucial in laying the foundation for India’s chase, was interrupted when both openers were dismissed in quick succession.

After Rohit’s departure in the 27th over, his calm and calculated innings set the stage for a win. Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja all played important roles in guiding India to a four-wicket victory with six balls to spare.

Rohit’s performance earned him the Player of the Match award, making him the fourth captain in history to win the award in an ICC Men’s Final. He joins an elite list of cricketing greats: Clive Lloyd (CWC 1975), Ricky Ponting (CWC 2003), and MS Dhoni (CWC 2011).

Captains with POTM award in Men’s ICC tournament finals:

Clive Lloyd (West Indies, CWC 1975)

Ricky Ponting (Australia, CWC 2003)

MS Dhoni (India, CWC 2011)

Rohit Sharma (India, CT 2025)

With this win, Rohit became the first Indian captain to win four major ICC titles. He has already claimed victories in the 2018 Asia Cup, the 2023 Asia Cup, and the 2024 T20 World Cup. He is now part of a select group, including Imran Khan, MS Dhoni, and Ricky Ponting, to have won four major tournaments as captain, each featuring at least five teams.

Rohit Sharma also became only the second Indian captain to win multiple ICC titles, with four ICC trophies now in his collection.

Under his leadership, India has been dominant in ICC tournaments, winning 23 out of 24 matches in the last three major events. This Champions Trophy victory also marked India’s third title in the competition, having previously won in 2002 and 2013. No other team has won more than 15 matches in the tournament’s history, making India’s record all the more impressive.

Sourav Ganguly, former Indian captain and BCCI president, praised Rohit Sharma’s leadership and performances in world tournaments over the last two years. Ganguly referred to Rohit as “captain marvellous,” acknowledging the depth of India’s squad and their remarkable achievements under his captaincy.

“Superb effort by India... What a performance in world tournaments over the last two years. So much depth in the squad. Congratulations to all. Rohit Sharma, captain marvellous,” Ganguly wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

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