Team India achieved victory in the 2025 Champions Trophy on Sunday March 9 through their four-wicket triumph against New Zealand in Dubai with Rohit Sharma at the helm of the team. The Men in Blue secured their position as the one and only team to capture ICC competitions three times.
The New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner chose to begin batting first after winning the toss. Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell scored half-centuries which helped the Blackcaps reach 251 runs during their 50-over match. India began their run chase with excellence as Rohit hit peak form during the initial over periods.
He established the groundwork for the run chase with 76 runs, and then KL Rahul (34*) and Shreyas Iyer (48) made crucial contributions to lead the side home. After his powerful innings earned him Player of the Match, Rohit became one of only a select few captains to win Player of the Match in an ICC competition final.
On that point, let us take a look at four captains who have been named Player of the Match in an ICC tournament final.
1. Clive Lloyd – 1975 ICC ODI World Cup
Clive Lloyd made history by becoming the first captain to win Player of the Match during the 1975 ODI World Cup final at Lord’s. The event occurred during the 1975 One-Day International World Cup final confrontation between the Australian team and West Indies at Lord’s stadium.
The West Indies, who batted first, were beaten to 50/3. Lloyd and Rohan Kanhai added 149 runs for the fourth wicket to start the rebuilding process. Despite being under duress, the West Indies captain was the one who took the Australian bowlers on head-on.
Lloyd led his team to 291 in 60 overs with an incredible century off just 85 deliveries, which included 12 boundaries and two sixes. Australia was bowled out for 274 runs after he took one wicket and gave up just 38 runs in 12 overs.
For his overall performance in the final, the famous West Indian was named Player of the Match.
2. Ricky Ponting – 2003 ICC ODI World Cup
As a former Australia captain Ricky Ponting maintains his position as the most victorious leader in cricket history. Through his unimaginable ODI World Cup winning record Ponting managed to win 26 games from his 29 Australia captaincy matches before losing only two and experiencing one unresulted game.
Ricky Ponting struck his most famous ODI career knock in the 2003 ODI World Cup final when he batted against India at Johannesburg. The Australian batters achieved 359/2 runs from their first batting innings that spanned 50 overs. Ricky Ponting and Damien Martin established a 234-run partnership without getting out as Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden started the Australian run total well.
In particular, Ponting destroyed all Indian bowlers his route to reaching an undefeated 140 from 121 deliveries. In his knock, the right-hander hit eight tall sixes and four boundaries.
Australia won the World Cup handily after defeating the Men in Blue by 234 runs in response. Ponting’s incredible effort with the bat earned him Player of the Match.
3. MS Dhoni – 2011 ICC ODI World Cup
Indian cricket has witnessed its greatest ever finishing batsman in the wicketkeeper role. His skill of controlling the pace of run chases separates him from all other players of his generation.
During the final match of the 2011 ODI World Cup in Mumbai MS Dhoni executed what remains the finest ODI batting performance of his career which brought India their first ICC championship win after 28 years.
The hosts lost openers Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar in the first seven overs of their 275-run chase. After he was set, Virat Kohli did the same. Dhoni advanced ahead of the highly effective Yuvraj Singh as the run chase became more challenging.
The strategic field placement brought rewards because Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir (97) produced a partnership which secured the victory. A powerful six shot over the bowler by the cricketer secured the ODI World Cup championship for India. The match award went to Dhoni without a doubt because he scored 91 runs off 79 balls while hitting eight boundaries and two sixes before finishing the match undefeated.
4. Rohit Sharma – 2025 ICC Champions Trophy
Rohit Sharma faced doubts about his batting performance as the Champions Trophy final drew near on Sunday. Several people believed that if India won in the Final game Rohit Sharma would consider retiring from cricket as well.
The 37-year-old started the matches successfully but failed to finish them with powerful performances. Rohit demonstrated his best performance at the critical moment for his team.
Rohit provided India a great start in their Champions Trophy chase of 252, sharing a 105-run opening stand with Shubman Gill. During the powerplay, the former was proactive and made excellent use of the field restrictions.
For his 76 off 83 deliveries, Rohit smashed seven boundaries and two sixes to lay the groundwork for the hitters to follow. The Indian hitters successfully defended themselves against the Kiwis’ persistent challenges, allowing them to cross the line with ease.
Because of his game-changing knock in the final, the Indian captain was named Player of the Match.
