Rohit Sharma led Team India to the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with a comfortable four-wicket victory over Australia in the first semifinal clash in Dubai on Tuesday, March 4. With this victory, Rohit Sharma surpassed former captain MS Dhoni to set a new record as the skipper of the Indian team.
Rohit has struggled with the bat despite India reaching their third consecutive Champions Trophy final. The veteran batter has scored 104 runs in four innings at an average of 26, with a best score of 41. He was given two reprieves but failed to capitalize, before being dismissed for 28 against Australia.
Rohit Sharma Surpasses MS Dhoni’s Captaincy Record
Following India’s victory over Australia in the first semifinal, Rohit Sharma became the first skipper to lead a team to the finals of all four major ICC men’s tournaments. The 37-year-old led the team to the finals of the ODI and T20 World Cups, the World Test Championship (WTC), and the Champions Trophy.
MS Dhoni, who is regarded as India’s greatest captain, led the team to titles in the three white-ball ICC tournaments—T20 World Cup, ODI World Cup, and Champions Trophy. However, he never had the opportunity to captain in a WTC final, as the tournament was introduced after his Test retirement.
Rohit Sharma Guided India to Victory in T20 World Cup 2024
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma guided India to consecutive World Test Championship (WTC) finals in 2021 and 2023, respectively. However, Kohli only managed to lead the team to the Champions Trophy final in 2017 among the three white-ball ICC events.
Rohit secured victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup. However, the team lost to Australia in the finals of the 2023 WTC and ODI World Cup. The right-handed batter has an impressive record as India’s captain, with the team winning 102 out of 141 matches across formats.
Rohit will aim to claim his second ICC title as captain when India face either South Africa or New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, March 9.
Virat Kohli Wins Player of the Match for His Match-Winning Knock
Australia scored 264 in 49.3 overs after electing to bat first. Steve Smith (73) and Alex Carey (61) scored crucial half-centuries against the Indian bowling attack. Mohammed Shami was the pick of the bowlers for India with three wickets, while Ravindra Jadeja and Varun Chakravarthy picked up two scalps each.
In response, India successfully chased down the target in 48.1 overs to book their spot in the 2025 Champions Trophy final. Virat Kohli anchored the chase with a crucial 84 off 98 balls. Kohli added stability in the run chase, and contributions from the middle order further guided India to victory.
Virat earned his seventh Player of the Match award in ICC ODI tournaments for his match-winning knock.
