Dubai, Mar 11:Rohit Sharma made history in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy final by scoring his first fifty in an ICC tournament final, leading India’s charge against New Zealand in Dubai on Sunday. This was Sharma’s 9th appearance in an ICC final across various formats, marking a milestone in his 18-year international cricket career.
The Indian captain reached his half-century in just 41 balls, a key contribution as India chased down 253 runs set by New Zealand. This knock was a significant improvement over his previous best in ICC finals, where he had scored a 31-ball 47 in the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia in Ahmedabad.
Sharma, who recently surpassed 11,000 runs in ODIs and scored his 32nd ODI century against England last month, has had an inconsistent run in this tournament. Despite promising starts, he was dismissed for scores of 41, 20, 15, and 28 in the group stage and semi-final against Australia.
This was not Sharma’s first taste of an ICC final. His debut came in 2007 during the inaugural T20 World Cup, where he made an important unbeaten 30* against Pakistan in a thrilling match that India won by 5 runs. Since then, his ICC final performances have varied:
- 2013 Champions Trophy: Scored 9 against England
- 2014 T20 World Cup: Scored 29 against Sri Lanka
- 2017 Champions Trophy: Scored a duck (0) against Pakistan
- 2021 World Test Championship: Scored 34 & 30 against New Zealand
- 2023 World Test Championship: Scored 15 & 43 against Australia
- 2023 ODI World Cup: Scored 47 against Australia
- 2024 T20 World Cup: Scored 9 against South Africa
His 2025 Champions Trophy performance marked a notable redemption in an ICC final setting, a place where his previous outings had often been underwhelming. Rohit’s 50* came at a crucial time, as India sought to chase down the total with confidence, and the knock demonstrated his ability to rise to the occasion when it mattered most.
Sharma’s consistent form in ODI cricket has kept him at the top of his game, making the 2025 Champions Trophy a vital chapter in his long and illustrious career. His leadership and crucial performances continue to shape the Indian team as a formidable force in world cricket.
