India's performance in the Champions Trophy has been nothing short of remarkable, with a perfect record of five matches played and five victories, culminating in their third title win in Dubai on Sunday.

Each championship holds its own significance, and this seventh title is no exception. It is difficult to favor one victory over another, as each triumph is unique and cherished. What distinguishes this particular achievement is the challenging context in which it was secured.

The management era under Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir began on a challenging note in Sri Lanka last August, suffering a 0-2 defeat in a three-match One-Day International series. The situation worsened, transitioning from a predictable 2-0 home Test victory against Bangladesh to an unprecedented 0-3 home loss to New Zealand. The team was on the brink of crisis following a 1-3 defeat in a five-Test series against Australia, during which the captain opted out of the final match in Sydney due to a slump in form.

With little time to recover before the Champions Trophy, India had only a three-match series against England on home soil to refine their tactics. This preparation was further complicated by the absence of their key player, the standout match-winner and leading bowler in all formats.

No Bumrah, no problem

It is a significant achievement for Rohit and his team that the term 'B' has scarcely been mentioned in the past three weeks. How does one address the absence of a player of Jasprit Bumrah's caliber? 

The answer lies in employing strategy and intelligence. It involves placing trust in the available players rather than dwelling on the absence of the one who is missing. India effectively utilized the collective strengths of their squad to present themselves as a more formidable and cohesive unit. This is the reason they have remained unbeaten in an ICC tournament for the second time in just over eight months, following their triumphant performance in the T20 World Cup in Bridgetown last June with another commanding display that establishes them as the most dominant and consistent team in limited-overs cricket.

The situation could have easily been different. Prior to the tournament, India's bowling attack appeared significantly underprepared. Mohammed Shami, who took on the role of lead bowler in Bumrah's absence, had participated in only two ODIs in the 15 months since the 50-over World Cup final in November, due to heel surgery. Similarly, Kuldeep Yadav had only two 50-over matches to his name after undergoing surgery for a sports hernia in November. Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, Shami's fellow pace bowlers, had played only nine and three ODIs, respectively. Varun Chakravarthy, who was a late addition to the squad based on the expectation of slow, spin-friendly pitches at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, had made just one ODI appearance.

Despite these challenges, India claimed 47 wickets across five matches. They successfully bowled out their first four opponents, with the highest number of runs conceded being 264—at least 25 runs below the average on a favorable batting pitch against Australia in the semifinal. Shami excelled with nine wickets, while Chakravarthy matched that tally. Kuldeep redeemed himself with an impressive performance in the final against New Zealand, and left-arm spinners Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja were economical, both conceding runs at a rate of 4.35 per over. As a unit, the bowling attack was both threatening and precise, demonstrating effectiveness without excessive ambition.

India's batting lineup was notably effective, with contributions from all players ranked 1 to 7, while Jadeja's role was minimal. Virat Kohli excelled in high-pressure situations against Pakistan and in the semifinals. Shubman Gill established a strong foundation in the initial two matches before his performance declined. Shreyas Iyer demonstrated consistent efficiency, earning the title of ‘unsung hero’ from Rohit, while Axar embraced the challenge of batting at No. 5. KL Rahul effectively addressed the ongoing debate regarding Rishabh Pant by confidently taking on the No. 6 position. Hardik Pandya delivered powerful hits under pressure, and the captain, known for his inspirational leadership, concluded a somewhat inconsistent run with a crucial 76 in the tournament's final match, earning the Player of the Final award.

Rohit displayed selflessness during the Powerplay, recognizing that against spin and with an aging ball, maintaining strike rotation would be challenging. He was prepared to take calculated risks, even if it meant sacrificing his usual style. His willingness to adapt, despite it being outside his comfort zone, was aimed at providing the team with a vigorous start. It was fitting that he excelled on the tournament's most significant night, as this title victory bore his unmistakable mark, aided by the energetic support of Gambhir.

Read Also: India Clinches Third ICC Champions Trophy, Triumphs Over New Zealand by Four Wickets!

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