Gavaskar fires loud and clear message says, 'Bumrah not indispensable. India have won without Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli too'
Sunil Gavaskar has praised India's remarkable Champions Trophy 2025 victory, highlighting the team's depth and resilience. Under Rohit Sharma's leadership, India secured their third Champions Trophy title, defeating New Zealand in the final. This triumph marked India's second consecutive ICC title in less than a year, following their T20 World Cup win in 2024. India remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, defeating Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand in the group stage, followed by a semi-final win against Australia.
Notably, India achieved this success despite the absence of star pacer Jasprit Bumrah. The team made bold decisions, including the inclusion of Harshit Rana and Varun Chakaravarthy. Both players delivered crucial performances, with Chakaravarthy taking a match-winning 5/52 against New Zealand in the league stage. Gavaskar lauded the team’s ability to recover from their recent Test series loss to Australia and regroup swiftly to claim this prestigious title.
India’s preparation for the Champions Trophy was minimal, with only three ODIs against England after their return from Australia. However, a dominant 3-0 series win boosted their confidence. Gavaskar emphasized that India's triumph without Bumrah underscores the team’s collective strength and adaptability. He also noted that India has previously succeeded without key players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, further proving that no individual is indispensable.
Gavaskar commended India’s comprehensive victories and their ability to bounce back from setbacks, calling this win "sweet" and a testament to the team’s talent. He also appreciated overseas players acknowledging India’s dominance, regardless of conditions. This victory solidifies India’s position as one of cricket's most formidable teams.