Virat Kohli embraced his role as a senior figure in the Indian dressing room following India’s Champions Trophy victory over New Zealand in Dubai on March 9. Unlike the exuberant celebrations after India’s T20 World Cup win last year, Kohli was more composed, focusing on the future of Indian cricket.
Speaking alongside Shubman Gill, Kohli highlighted the young talent in the squad, expressing confidence in their ability to carry Indian cricket forward once senior players like himself and Rohit Sharma step away. While dismissing any immediate retirement plans, he emphasized his commitment to mentoring the next generation.
“I try to speak to these guys as much as possible, share my experience about my longevity. When you want to leave, you want to leave the game in a better position. That’s what we are striving for,” Kohli said. “These guys have already stepped up. We are in good hands.”
India secured a four-wicket victory in the final, with captain Rohit Sharma leading from the front with a fearless 76. Contributions from Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, and KL Rahul ensured India successfully chased down New Zealand’s 252-run target. Earlier, spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav played a crucial role, picking up four wickets to stifle the opposition.
Reflecting on the win, Kohli emphasized India’s determination to bounce back after a tough Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
“We wanted to win a big tournament, and we did that. Playing with such talented youngsters has been an amazing experience. Everyone stepped up at different times, which is crucial in winning titles,” he added.
Though Kohli did not fire in the final, he was among India’s standout performers in the tournament, finishing with 218 runs in five matches and securing a spot among the top five run-getters.