Virat Kohli says India’s squad is ready to take on the world for the next eight years after winning a second white-ball title in nine months. India beat New Zealand by four wickets in Sunday’s Champions Trophy final in Dubai after defeating South Africa in last summer’s T20 World Cup final in Barbados. While Kohli, 36, and captain Rohit Sharma, 37, are surely in the closing stages of their careers, opener Shubman Gill, 25, could be a linchpin for the next decade.
To emphasize India’s strength in depth, Abhishek Sharma – who smashed 135 from just 54 balls against England in a T20 international in February – and Yashasvi Jaiswal – who sits fourth in the Test batting rankings – were not picked for the Champions Trophy. Swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was but did not get a game.
Kohli said: “I feel we’ve a squad that’s ready to take on the world for the next eight years. There’s so much talent in the dressing room. They’re trying to take their game further, and we [the senior players] are just happy to be of help, sharing our experience. That’s what makes this Indian team so strong.”
India have now won two global ICC events in a row since being upset by Australia on home turf in the 2023 50-over World Cup final in Ahmedabad after winning all 10 of their matches in the tournament up to that point. Kohli added: “You want to play (for titles), playing under pressure and putting your hand up. Everyone has put their hands up some time or other in the tournament. Everyone has put up impactful performances, we’ve been part of an amazing team, the amount of work we’ve done in the practice sessions, it feels great.”