How India’s strategic call sealed the Champions Trophy title

New Delhi: Why did the Indian think tank choose the option of five spinners? Will the terms of Dubai take the favor of Team India? Did India’s speed attack look unsafe, especially with Mohammed Shami, was returning only by injury and Jasprit Bumrah is unavailable? Can India repeat the glory of its 2013 Champion Trophy?
All questions were placed to rest as India defeated New Zealand in the final of the Champions Trophy at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.

This victory marked India’s second ICC title in just nine months. He first attained the 2024 T20 World Cup in June, defeating South Africa in the final in Barbados.
But what were the major decisions that inspired Team India for glory in the prestigious eight-team tournament?
Exer at number 5
Many people were surprised when the Indian team management promoted all -rounder Exer Patel to bat at number 5. However, the team’s confidence in him was unbreakable, and the Gujarat cricketer paid that belief with significant contribution to the entire tournament.

After the contribution of 8 and 3 against Bangladesh and Pakistan respectively, the left -handed batsman made upgrade count vs. New Zealand in India’s last group stage game. After being batted, India faced a top -order collapse, lost to Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for only 30 runs within the first seven overs.
Also read: Rohit Sharma revealed India’s ‘silent hero’ in the Champions Trophy Triumph
Step under pressure, Exerred a significant knock of 42, asking Sris Iyer to pursue the innings to carry forward an important partnership.

In the semi -finals against Australia, Exer once again delivered, scoring a 27 off 30 balls when it matured. Recognizing his ability to handle high pressure conditions, Rohit continued him back to number 5 in the final against New Zealand.
The 31-year-old contributed a valuable 29 from 40 balls and was involved in another 50-Plus partnership with Iyer and placed India on the driver’s seat. Exerred signed the tournament with 109 runs in five matches.

KL Rahul Pant
KL Rahul vs Rishabh Pant debate gained momentum in front of the Champions Trophy, but head coach Gautam Gambhir supported KL Rahul.
ALSO READ: ICC winning is not so easy: KL Rahul after the Champions Trophy win
While the pants are known for their explosive batting, Gambhir preferred stability in the mid -order – someone who can anchor the innings, can speed up when needed, and play an important role behind the stump. KL Rahul became the ideal option here.

“KL Rahul is our number 1 wicketkeeper and this is what I can say at this time. Rishabh Pant will get his chance, but at the moment it is KL who has done well and we cannot play two wicketkeeper-batsmen,” Gamhiy said before the Champions Trophy.
The pain of losing the final of the ODI World Cup is still for Rahul. He was sublime during the tournament, scoring 452 runs in 11 matches, which was on an impressive average of 75.33.

Despite his excellent performance at the 2023 ODI World Cup, he was ignored for the T20 World Cup.
All KL Rahul needed another chance, and he found it in the Champions Trophy.
KL Rahul was not only extraordinary with the bat, but played an important role behind the stumps – guiding the bowlers, assisting Rohit with DRS call, and maintaining composer under pressure.

He remained unbeaten on 41 against Bangladesh, scoring 23 against New Zealand, contributed not unbeaten in the semi -final against Australia, and anchored India’s chase stable with 34* in the final against New Zealand.
His unbeaten knock, especially at number six, was clear indication that he had the ability to take the game away from any situation – and this is what he did throughout the competition.
When KL Rahul finally put his hands on the Champions Trophy – his first ICC title, there were feelings.
Varun Chakarwarthi in the squad
Rohit’s words were Rohit’s words describing Varun Chakraborty after winning India’s Champions Trophy.
In the initial match against Bangladesh, Pacors dominated, Mohammed Shami racted five wickets and Harshit Rana three. Rohit got stuck with a single lineup against Pakistan, but this time, the spinners took the center stage as Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Axer Patel, and shared five wickets between them.
With the back-to-back winning of India’s location in the semi-finals, his final group-chanting game against fellow semi-finalist New Zealand became a dead rubber.

It was here that Rohit’s strategic change of spin came into the game, with questions about the decision to include five spinners in the squad.
The management chose Varun back from Washington Sundar, despite Sundar’s recently consistent performance.
The move as Varun justified captain’s confidence, leaving New Zealand’s batting order with a brilliant five wickets in a chase of 250. His victims included Will Young, Glenn Philips, Michael Bracewell, Michel Santner and Matt Henry. His match winner Spell gave him the Player of the Match Award.
Rohit retained the same Xi for the semi-finals against Australia, and once again, Varun stepped, Varun made a significant success by rejecting Travis Head-Australia’s biggest threat. He finished the match with two wickets.
In the final, Varun tightened his wide array-match, Gogali, leg-spin, off-spin, off-spin, carom balls, and more on the New Zealand batsmen. He first removed the young Will before getting rid of the dangerous Glenn Philips by cripping New Zealand’s batting lineup.
Varun ended as India’s highest wicket taker in the tournament and in total, claimed nine wickets in just three matches, the second largest scale.
“He did not start for us in the tournament, but when he played against New Zealand and got five wickets, we saw what kind of ability he had with the ball, and we wanted to maximize it-and he did not disappoint. He has received a very good quality about his bowling, and for us, it has come to use at various times, which is definitely for 33-years.