Rohit Sharma, captain of the Indian men’s cricket team, entered the history books on March 4 as the first captain in world history to make the final of all four main ICC Events. Led to the final match of the World Test Championship in June 2023 (against Australia), ODI World Cup in November 2023 (against New Zealand), T20 World Cup in June 2024 (against England), and the Champions Trophy (against England) in March 2025, all by Rohit.
He never got a chance to play in the World Test Championship final. In 2007 and 2014, MS Dhoni led India to the T20 World Cup finals, then in 2011 to the ODI World Cup final, and finally in 2013 to the Champions Trophy final. Williamson then led New Zealand to its final appearance at the ODI World Cup in 2019, the WTC final in June 2021, and the T20 World Cup in November 2021, but New Zealand never qualified for the Champions Trophy final during his time.
He became the third Indian captain to win the ICC trophy in June 2024 after Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni, and now he will come into the match looking to win the second ICC trophy on Sunday, March 9, with India up against the winner of the second semifinal between New Zealand and South Africa.
He has not lost any match in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Rohit became the full-time white-ball captain of India in November 2021, and under him, the Indian team won all four matches in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The No. 1 team in ODIs, India, triumphed over Bangladesh by six wickets in the first match in Dubai on February 20 and won again against Pakistan, defeating them by six wickets in the second Group A match.
While New Zealand found itself away team playing Group A’s final match in Dubai against India on Sunday, March 2, it lost by 44 runs.
India has to surpass a target set by Australia for the semifinals on Tuesday at 265, and although Virat Kohli gave an immense effort, making 84 off 98, India finally achieved this target in 48.1 overs, losing six wickets.
Kohli was ably supported by Iyer with a 45 against Australia while Rahul ended the innings at 42 not out. India were finally secured the win when Botha, who was the 32-year-old wicketkeeper-batter from Karnataka belted a six off Maxwell on the first ball of an over.
Because of his excellent batting performance for India in the ninth ICC knockout match against Australia, Kohli was nominated Player of the Match.