Indian team silence doubters with perfect white-ball run ahead of Champions Trophy

Dubai: Redemption was the word on every Indian cricketer’s mind. After a crushing Test series defeat in Australia, the pressure was immense — especially on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The team had already dominated the T20s, but could they replicate that success in the ODIs?

India answered emphatically, sealing a 3-0 series sweep over England, with Kohli rediscovering his touch, Shubman Gill dazzling with the bat, and Rohit silencing his doubters. With the Champions Trophy looming, the message was clear: India are back.

Rohit and Kohli deliver under pressure

After sweeping the T20 series with a youthful squad, India’s ODI side faced a different kind of challenge — proving that their experienced core still had what it takes. Many of the players carried the scars of the Test series defeat in Australia, and for Rohit Sharma and Kohli, the spotlight was unrelenting. With questions swirling around their form, the duo needed a statement performance. And they delivered.

Rohit made his mark in the second ODI in Cuttack, responding to critics with a commanding display. Kohli, who had ended his three-year long century drought in Tests in Ahmedabad, returned to one of his favourite grounds and played a stabilising innings. Partnering with Shubman Gill, he helped India recover after Mark Wood’s outswinger dismissed Rohit in just the second over.

It wasn’t a vintage Kohli masterclass, but it was a crucial innings. He survived a few nervy moments — a close LBW call, a near run-out, and an inswinger that just missed the stumps. But the runs were flowing again, and that was all that mattered.

Kohli’s ODI numbers remain staggering — 13,963 runs, 50 centuries, and an average of 57.93. Yet, when form dips, even the best can grow tentative. This innings might have lifted some of that burden. With Gill and Shreyas Iyer in sublime touch, the pressure on Rohit and Kohli heading into the Champions Trophy is considerably lighter.

In a sign of renewed confidence, Kohli simply walked off without even glancing at the umpire after his dismissal — an unspoken contrast to his reaction in the second ODI.

Gill’s brilliance and India’s commanding win

“It’s very, very pleasing. We knew there would be challenges, and we responded well to whatever was thrown at us,” Rohit Sharma told the official broadcasters after India sealed the 3-0 series victory. Reflecting on his dismissal, he added: “Credit to the bowler, who is there to get you out. Sometimes you are lucky that it misses the bat, but I just nicked the ball. I couldn’t have done anything about that.”

The real star of the final ODI, however, was Gill. The young opener found his rhythm at the perfect time, smashing his seventh ODI century in his 50th match. His 112 off 102 balls anchored India’s innings, guiding them to a formidable 356 after being put in to bat.

Gill capped off a sensational series with 259 runs, following scores of 87 and 60 in the first two matches. His 116-run partnership with Kohli provided the platform for India’s dominance.

“I was feeling good; this was one of my better knocks,” Gill said. Having played numerous matches at this venue for Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League, he was familiar with the conditions. “The wicket was tricky early on, offering something for the fast bowlers, so it was satisfying. It was seaming, so the chat was simple — rotate the strike and avoid losing too many wickets in the powerplay. Then build momentum from there. I was just reacting, not thinking too much.”

Shreyas Iyer also chipped in with a fluent 64-ball 78, while England’s bowlers struggled to make an impact. Only leg-spinner Adil Rashid stood out, finishing with 4-64.

Indian bowlers gain crucial experience

The final ODI also served as an important learning experience for India’s bowlers, particularly in handling dew conditions — something they might encounter in Dubai during the Champions Trophy.

“I don’t think we did anything wrong in this series,” Rohit Sharma said. “It’s our job to maintain consistency within the squad, and our communication is clear. A champion team always looks to improve with every game.

“We were very happy with the score. There’s a sense of freedom in the squad to play the way we are supposed to. The World Cup was a perfect example of that, and we want to continue in that manner. There will be times when things don’t go our way, but that’s OK.”

A statement before the Champions Trophy

The past few months haven’t been kind to India — an ODI series loss in Sri Lanka, a home Test defeat to New Zealand, and a five-Test thrashing in Australia left them battered and scrutinised. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s struggles only fuelled the fire, and new coach Gautam Gambhir also found himself under pressure. But the Indian cricket board kept faith in the trio, and it has paid dividends.

But now, with a commanding series win over England, those questions have been answered — at least for now. With their confidence restored and key players finding form at the right moment, India will head to the UAE with momentum on their side.

The Champions Trophy awaits. And this time, India looks ready.