NEW DELHI: Shreyas Iyer was left 'over the moon' after playing a crucial 48-run knock to help India lift their third Champions Trophy title with a four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the final in Dubai on Sunday.
Iyer finished the tournament as the second-highest run-scorer with 241 runs in five matches, behind New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra. This triumph marked the right-hander’s first-ever ICC title, making it an unforgettable moment in his career.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW
"I am over the moon, to be honest. It’s hard to sum it up in words. This is my first ICC trophy, and I feel overwhelmed. Kudos to everyone in the dressing room—the way we turned up in this tournament was simply magnificent," Iyer said.
He also expressed his love for performing under pressure. “I thrive under pressure and love the challenge. I always want to score big, but even a small contribution that helps the team win is enough for me. I am truly happy.”
While Iyer’s 48 off 62 balls played a vital role, it was KL Rahul’s composed 34 off 33 balls* that guided India across the finish line.
With this victory, India secured their third Champions Trophy title after 2002 and 2013 and their second ICC trophy in 12 months, following their T20 World Cup triumph in June last year.
India’s latest win makes them the most successful team in Champions Trophy history. The packed Dubai stadium, filled with Indian supporters, witnessed a moment of redemption after the heartbreak of the 2023 ODI World Cup final on home soil.
Rahul admitted to feeling immense pressure in the final moments but backed himself to stay calm.
“I don’t think I can say this on camera, but I was shitting myself. We had a couple of batters left, but I was tense. It’s all about staying composed in situations like this. I’ve batted under pressure in three out of five games in this tournament, and in one, I didn’t even get to bat against Pakistan.”
Reflecting on India’s resilience, Rahul credited the BCCI and domestic cricket structure for preparing players for high-pressure moments.
“Handling pressure is something we’ve learned since picking up a bat and choosing to become professional cricketers. The way BCCI and the domestic circuit groom us helps us excel in situations like these.”
India’s triumph not only sealed their dominance in the Champions Trophy but also reaffirmed their ability to thrive under pressure on the world stage.
