In less than two weeks of India's successful campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the cash reward for the title-winning members.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 returned after eight years as Pakistan were the hosts for the ninth edition of the tournament. Including the hosts and defending champions Pakistan, eight teams participated in the tournament, and the other teams were India, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, England, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. 

While all six other foreign teams traveled to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India rejected traveling to Pakistan, and ultimately all of their matches shifted to the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

India won all the matches in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The Rohit Sharma-led India started from Group A with Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand. After beating Bangladesh and Pakistan by six wickets each, the Men in Blues beat New Zealand in their last group stage match against New Zealand by 44 runs. In the first Semi-final, India beat Australia by four wickets. India and New Zealand met once again in the Final of the tournament, and India won their third ICC Champions Trophy title after winning it by four wickets. 

Under the leadership of Sourav Ganguly, India jointly won the ICC Champions Trophy 2002 along with the hosts Sri Lanka as their Final matches (including a fresh start on the reserve day) ended with no results. In the ICC Champions Trophy 2013, MS Dhoni-led India beat the hosts England in the Final to win their second Champions Trophy. Now, India has become the first team to win the ICC Champions Trophy three times. 

See Also: BCCI Planning To Organise Opening Ceremony At All 13 Venues

BCCI awards INR 58 crore for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 winners

On March 20, the BCCI announced the INR 58 crore cash reward for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 winning members. In their official statement, BCCI added, "This financial recognition honours the players, coaching and support staff and members of the Men’s Selection Committee."

The announced cash prize will be distributed between the 15-member Indian squad, the coaching and support staff, and the Men's National Selection Committee members. According to the Times of India report, all the 15 Indian cricketers are likely to get INR 3 crore each.

BCCI also takes another key decision on ICC Champions Trophy 2025 winning prize money

Moreover, the TOI report added that the BCCI decided to share the entire prize money for winning the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, US$ 2.24 million or INR 20 crore, among the Team India players.

Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, India just won their second ICC title by lifting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 title after winning all the five matches in the tournament. Popular Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle, known as "Voice of Cricket", recently opened up why Rohit Sharma is one of the greatest Indian white-ball captains. 

In the last three ICC tournaments, Rohit Sharma-led India won 23 out of 24 games. While they finished as the runners-up of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 as the hosts, where they lost only the Final against Australia, the Men in Blue won the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 and ICC Champions Trophy 2025 by winning all the matches. 

See Also: Ricky Ponting Backs Rohit Sharma for ODI World Cup Glory

ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final: Rohit Sharma won the Player of the Match award

One of the major reasons for India's success in the recent ICC tournaments is skipper Rohit Sharma's powerful aggressive batting, which provides a strong start for the Men in Blue. While his batting is totally risk or reward status, it has majorly worked for India. During the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, although skipper Rohit Sharma majorly struggled to perform well after getting good starts of 20s, he had the major role to beat New Zealand in the Final.

Chasing down the challenging target of 252 runs in Dubai, captain Rohit Sharma fired up the opposition bowlers in the first powerplay. Sharma completed his half-century in 41 balls and scored 76 off 83 balls with seven fours and three sixes. Although the Blackcaps bowlers fought bravely after the first powerplay, Rohit's powerful start helped India never go behind in the tricky chase and won by four wickets with six balls to spare. There was no doubt why the Indian captain won the Player of the Match award in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final.

Rohit wanted India to play a certain brand of cricket: Harsha Bhogle

In a recent viral video on social media, Harsha Bhogle opened up his view on the captain Rohit Sharma. Despite not having the nature of wild aggressive batting, skipper Rohit Sharma wants to set a strong brand of cricket. 

The voice of cricket said, "Rohit Sharma is doing something remarkable and he must now go down as one of India's great white ball captains. I spoke to him immediately after the match at the Player of the Match presentation and I asked him if the manner in which he was playing was normal to him, and he said, no, it didn't come naturally to him but he wanted India to play a certain brand of cricket and so he thought he must play that too. Sometimes predetermined, sometimes high-risk, sometimes get out early, but that is the brand of cricket he wanted to play. High-impact cricket and when the captain shows the way, then everybody follows, and this is as good a cast as I have ever seen."  

Voice of cricket Harsha Bhogle speaking on the innings of Captain Rohit Sharma in Champions trophy final 🫰🫶 pic.twitter.com/wTDtGNHRrZ

— Immy|| 🇮🇳 (@TotallyImro45) March 13, 2025

India's team is warming up for the 2027 ODI World Cup, with the event poised to be staged in South Africa in October. Ahead of the World Cup, India will prepare by hosting 24 ODIs in different series against powerful nations.

Why This Schedule Matters

• Experimenting With Different Combinations: Having many young players involved, the team management will find sufficient time to experiment with different combinations and find the right combination.
• Different Conditions: Playing against countries like Australia, South Africa, and England will give India good exposure to differing conditions of play.
• Picking Up Momentum: Performing well in these bilateral series will raise the team morale prior to the World Cup.
• Identifying Key Players: These periods will be defining for veterans to find their place and for the young guns to find a place in the 50-over game.

India's Future ODI Series:

• 3 ODIs vs Bangladesh
• 3 ODIs vs Australia
• 3 ODIs vs South Africa
• 3 ODIs vs Afghanistan
• 3 ODIs vs England
• 3 ODIs vs West Indies
• 3 ODIs vs New Zealand
• 3 ODIs vs Sri Lanka

These fixtures will enable India to experiment with different combinations, strengthen their team, and build momentum before the World Cup. With stiff competition from the world's best teams, India will seek to refine their strategies and form a winning team for the tournament.

ALSO SEE: The Impact of Indian Cricket: Lord’s Faces 4 Million Loss as India Misses WTC 2025 Final

The Road Ahead

Since South Africa is hosting the 2027 ODI World Cup, India will have to adapt to the conditions. Seam-friendly tracks, bouncy pitches, and unpredictable weather are going to be the tasks that India will have to acclimatize to. The series ahead will give players the experience and form patterns to thrive in those conditions.

As the World Cup 2027 countdown begins, everyone's eyes are going to fall on Team India's preparation. Are they going to form a team strong enough to take the trophy home here? The journey has begun, and every single match is going to play a deciding role in the destiny of Indian cricket

Gautam Gambhir has never been short of courage in his cricketing style, be it as a player or as a coach today. His recent choices have gone a long way in determining India's strategy for the Champions Trophy 2025. Some of the daring steps he took and left an impact are listed below.

Axar Patel at Number 5

Axar Patel is primarily viewed as an all-rounder, but Gambhir made a big call in advancing him to number five. It provided India with additional batting depth and allowed Axar to deliver game-changing middle-order performances. His pressure-holding skills and ability to rotate the strike have brought stability to the batting lineup.

Supporting KL Rahul Instead of Rishabh Pant

The KL Rahul-Rishabh Pant debate had been going on, but Gambhir decided to stand by Rahul. His experience under pressure and the calmness during critical moments presented him as the go-to person. Though Pant is an explosive hitter, Gambhir's decision to rely on Rahul meant steady hands in the middle order.

ALSO SEE: Is This Indian team is truly an all time great ?

Choosing Varun Chakravarthy in the Squad

Varun Chakravarthy's mystery spin is a weapon against top teams, and Gambhir understood its worth. Having him in the team provided India with an unpredictable advantage in the bowling unit, making the attack more varied and deadly.

Gambhir's moves speak volumes about his cricketing brain and his capability to take calculated risks. As India prepares for the Champions Trophy 2025, these moves could be a massive contributor to their success.

The 15-day tournament ICC Champions Trophy 2025 finally ended in a thriller where India defeated New Zealand in the Final in Dubai to create history by becoming the first team to lift the trophy thrice. 

Pakistan hosted the ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy, which makes a return after eight years. Apart from the hosts Pakistan, who also started the tournament as the defending champions, India, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, England, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan participated in the tournament. 

Except India, all other seven teams, including the hosts Pakistan played in Pakistan, while the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates hosted all Indian games. While Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore could host the Final if India failed to qualify, India's qualification to the Final denied that.

On Sunday, March 9, 2025, India faced New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final. After New Zealand chose to bat first, they scored 251/7 in 50 overs. In reply, India chased down the target in 49 overs after losing six wickets and lifted the trophy after 12 years. After winning the ICC Champions Trophy in the 2002 (co-winners with the hosts Sri Lanka) and 2013 editions, India became the first team to lift the ICC Champions Trophy for the third time. 

Also Watch: People Across India Celebrate Champions Trophy 2025 Victory in Grand Style

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Tournament Awards

Player of the Match in the Final: Rohit Sharma (India) - 76 runs

Player of the Tournament: Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand) - 263 runs and 3 wickets

Champions: India (3rd title)

Runners-up: New Zealand

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Prize Money Details (Total Tournament Prize Money for Teams USD 6.9 million)

Champions: India - USD 2.24 million

Runners-up: New Zealand - USD 1.12 million

Semi-finalists: Australia and South Africa - USD 560,000 for each team

5th and 6th places: Afghanistan and Bangladesh - USD 350,000 for each team

7th and 8th places: Pakistan and England - USD 140,000 for each team

Each win in the group stage: USD 34,000

Participation prize money: USD 125,000 for each team

India won the Champions Trophy 2025 against New Zealand by four wickets at the Dubai International Stadium. India became the first team to have three Champions Trophy titles and Rohit Sharma's second ICC trophy as captain in a row.

New Zealand batted first and scored 251 runs, with Daryl Mitchell (50) and Michael Bracewell (53*) contributing the most. Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav each took two wickets for India.

In reply, Rohit Sharma stabilized the chase with a masterly 76 from 83 deliveries. Losing wickets at critical junctures, India remained on course courtesy of crucial runs from Shreyas Iyer (48) and KL Rahul (34*). Ravindra Jadeja finished the victory with the winning runs, sending the Indian camp into celebrations.

ALSO SEE: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Celebrate India’s Champions Trophy Win with Dandiya

THE CELEBRATIONS OF RAVINDRA JADEJA AFTER FINISHING THE MATCH. pic.twitter.com/p0AYKmuTEY

— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) March 9, 2025

THE MOMENTS TEAM INDIA WON CHAMPIONS TROPHY 2025...!!!! 🇮🇳

- VIDEO OF THE DAY. 🏆pic.twitter.com/bDwSHWRDiO

— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) March 9, 2025

Gautam Gambhir hugging KL Rahul.

- KL played a vital knock in the CT Final for India. ❤️🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/MDbgy962Pf

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 9, 2025

🚨TEAM INDIA HAVE WON THE CHAMPIONS TROPHY AFTER 12 YEARS 🚨 pic.twitter.com/R0tU9UDzxz

— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) March 9, 2025

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma playing Dandiya with the stumps. 🤣❤️ pic.twitter.com/I1utuReQp2

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 9, 2025

Jadeja, Arshdeep and Harshit doing the Gangnam Style. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/MfTun6h6dh

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 9, 2025

It was a moment of redemption for India following their 2023 World Cup final despair, a historic Indian cricket night.

Rohit Sharma-led India set new ICC Champions Trophy record by becoming the first team to win the trophy for the third time after beating New Zealand in the tense Final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. It was the seventh ICC title for the India men's national cricket team.

After winning the toss, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner chose to bat first. While New Zealand scored 251/7 in 50 overs, India chased down the target in 49 overs after losing six wickets. 

See Also: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Celebrate India’s Champions Trophy Win with Dandiya

Indian spinners controlled New Zealand innings

New Zealand opener Rachin Ravindra provided a firing start as he had a 57-run opening partnership with Will Young. Although India dropped dangerous Rachin twice, Indian spinners provided a superb comeback. Indian spinners took three quick wickets as Varun Chakravarthy dismissed Young for 15 runs, while Kuldeep Yadav started the game with a wicket of Rachin Ravindra on the first delivery of the second powerplay. Also, the former Blackcaps skipper Kane Williamson was caught and bowled by Kuldeep in his second over for 11 runs. 

In the second powerplay, New Zealand never reached 40 runs in each of three 10-over slots. It ultimately proved the game-changer as New Zealand tried hard but never had strong hands in the game.

Despite facing 101 balls, Daryl Mitchell struggled and managed to score 63 runs with the help of three fours. While Glenn Phillips scored valuable 34 runs off 52 balls (two fours and one six), Michael Bracewell's 53 not out off 40 balls (three fours and two sixes) helped the Blackcaps to reach the 250-run mark. 

All the Indian spinners bowled really well. Varun Chakravarthy (2/45) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/40) bagged two wickets each, and Ravindra Jadeja had one (1/30) wicket while another disciplined spinner Axar Patel (0/29) didn't take any wickets in his eight overs. Among the pacers, Mohammad Shami got a wicket (1/74), while Hardik Pandya was expensive in his three overs (0/30).

Look Also: Rohit Sharma’s special insane stats you didn’t know about

Indian middle-order batters handled professionally after Rohit Sharma's flying start

Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill provided a powerful start. While Gill was dropped by Daryl Mitchell at the midwicket, the openers had a 105-run partnership for the first wicket. Skipper Rohit Sharma had a flying start and completed his half-century in 41 balls. New Zealand spinners slowly made a comeback into the game after Glenn Phillips took a stunner to dismiss Gill for 31 off 50 balls. 

In the very next over, Michael Bracewell started with a wicket of Virat Kohli, who just scored one run off two balls. Struggling to score runs against Blackcaps spinners, skipper Rohit Sharma was stumped out for 76 off 83 balls, where the right-handed batter hit seven fours and three sixes. 

India were under pressure for losing three wickets in 17 runs. However, Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel handled the situation really well as they had a 61-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Iyer, who was dropped by Kyle Jamieson in the long on, was ultimately dismissed for 48 off 62 balls (two fours and two sixes).

While Patel was out after scoring 29 runs off 40 balls, KL Rahul once again comfortably moved India out from the tough situation, and Hardik Pandya produced a 38-run sixth wicket partnership to take away the game from the Blackcaps. Pandya scored run-a-ball 18, while Rahul scored brilliant 34 not out off 33 balls, and Ravindra Jadeja finished the game with a four (9*). 

New Zealand spinners were equally brilliant as Mitchell Santner (2/46), Rachin Ravindra (1/47), and Michael Bracewell (2/28) fought hard, but they required a few more runs, especially after Rohit Sharma's powerful batting. 

While the Indian skipper Rohit Sharma won the Player of the Match award, Blackcaps' all-rounder Rachin Ravindra won the Player of the Tournament award.  

Just like the recent tournaments, Rohit Sharma-led India have impressed in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where the Men in Blues have performed outstandingly. Former New Zealand cricketer and popular commentator Ian Smith is highly impressed with the Indian skipper Rohit Sharma. 

While the Indian team has performed outstandingly in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which they are playing all matches at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, the Indian spinners have played the major roles. Before the last game of the group stage, Rohit Sharma used three spinners, and since the last match of the group stage, India have gone with four spinners, who have dominated against every batter.

See Also: Look Rohit Sharma’s special insane stats you didn’t know about

Rohit Sharma-led India go with four spinners in the last three games of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Just like the last two games, Indian captain Rohit Sharma utilised the spinners impressively in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final against New Zealand. Although New Zealand openers provided a strong start, Indian spinners dominated to restrict the Blackcaps to 251 runs. India have the spinners Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja. All the spinners bowled exceptionally well in the entire ICC Champions Trophy 2025, and Ian Smith has praised captain Rohit Sharma for these successes.

Check what Ian Smith told about Indian captain Rohit Sharma

Smith felt that skipper Rohit Sharma utilized the Indian spinners really well as he had 40 overs out of the 50-over innings to go with the spinners, and his planning was excellent. Smith also called that the Indian captain planned the spinners quite perfectly. 

Ian Smith on the brilliance of Captain Rohit Sharma 🐐 on the field.pic.twitter.com/JiNqp8hPo0

— Radha Dubey (@Rkc1511165) March 9, 2025

While Rohit Sharma is undoubtedly one of the greatest openers in international cricket, especially in the white ball formats, in the last few years he has been exceptional with his powerful batting performances, which put the opposition bowling line-up in drastic situations and helped the Indian batting line-up massively to achieve great successes. During the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final, we came to know very underrated stats of Rohit Sharma, which make him a more dangerous and more special batter in international cricket history ever.  

Dubai International Cricket Stadium is hosting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final, where India and New Zealand are facing each other. After New Zealand chose to bat first, they scored 251/7 in 50 overs. Although Blackcaps had a strong opening partnership, Indian spinners completely controlled the innings with their consistent tight lines. The pitch was better to bat on as the ball was turning less, but the constant wicket to wicket lines denied any free adventures from the New Zealand batters. 

See Also: ICC Champions Trophy Final: Glenn Phillips Shocks India with Gill's Wicket  

Rohit Sharma hits 50 runs in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final

In reply, Indian openers, skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, provided a strong start for the Men in Blue. While the Blackcaps dropped one tough opportunity of Shubman Gill, captain Rohit Sharma produced his familiar powerful batting performance. Openers put 64/0 at the end of the first powerplay, while Rohit Sharma was powerful as usual. While Rohit completed his half-century in 41 balls with five fours and three sixes, he had a century partnership with Gill. 

Rohit Sharma's insane strike rate while stepping out

In recent times, one of the best things is Rohit is hitting pacers by stepping out, and he has an outstanding record when he steps out against the bowlers. According to recent stats, Rohit has recently recorded 119 runs off 39 balls whenever he stepped out, which makes his strike rate more than 300, an impressive stat. 

They just showed a stat on TV that Rohit Sharma has scored 119 runs in 39 balls whenever he stepped out(Since 2022 I guess)
305 Strike Rate: That's insane success rate...

— Abhishek AB (@ABsay_ek) March 9, 2025

Dubai International Cricket Stadium is hosting the India vs New Zealand match in the Final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. While Indian spinners completely dominated, the all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja's retirement speculation has suddenly risen after completing his 10-over quota. 

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner had no hesitation to choose bat first after winning the toss in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final. Although the Blackcaps had a strong start, mainly thanks to the opener Rachin Ravindra, Indian spinners controlled the first innings as the Kiwis struggled to bring any solid answers.

New Zealand openers Will Young and Rachin Ravindra had a 57-run partnership for the first wicket, where Rachin was smashing the Indian bowlers. Indian cricketers were more frustrated after giving two lives to the left-handed opening batter, who was completely looking dangerous. 

Then the Indian spinners came to dominate. Once the first wicket fell in the eighth over, as Young was dismissed by Varun Chakravarthy, Indian spinners completely suffocated Kiwi batters with their impressive line and length deliveries consistently, especially when the turning was lower than the other Champions Trophy 2025 matches in Dubai. 

See Also: Kuldeep Yadav Double Wickets Blow Breaks The Jinks Of Not Taking Wickets In ICC Knockouts Game

Ravindra Jadeja was superb with the ball in the Final

Ravindra Jadeja was once again excellent with the ball in hand as he had the bowling figures of 10-0-30-1. The left-arm spinner conceded only one four and recorded 35 dot balls, while taking the wicket of Tom Latham.  Once Jadeja completed his over, former Indian captain Virat Kohli hugged the Indian all-rounder. It may be an appreciation for impressive bowling performance, but it can be a sign of retirement as Kohli has the natural gesture similarly to appreciate a player for the last time. While the Indian fans are hoping for the false retirement speculation about Jadeja, only time will tell the story. 

Virat Kohli hugged Ravindra Jadeja after he completed his last over. . Appreciation or Sign of Retirement? Jadeja playing his last ODI today ? #INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/1FDYq9pjgS

— Shubhankar Mishra (@shubhankrmishra) March 9, 2025

#INDvsNZ #Jadeja pic.twitter.com/DDefg0wrvd

— MSD Fan (@KelieBro) March 9, 2025

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Bowler Ravindra Jadeja was outstanding 

In the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Jadeja picked up five wickets, but his economy rate was 4.35 after delivering 42 overs. In the entire tournament, the left-arm spinner delivered 127 dot balls and conceded only 10 fours and two sixes.