Although Rohit Sharma led India to a significant victory in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final against New Zealand in Dubai, he was notably absent from the ICC’s Team of the Tournament, announced on Monday evening. Instead, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner was chosen to lead the selected best XI by a panel of commentators and former international players.
India secured its third ICC Champions Trophy title on Sunday, establishing itself as the most successful team in the history of this competition. With seven ICC titles across formats, India now trails only Australia, which holds ten championships. Remarkably, India remained unbeaten in all five matches during this tournament, amassing an impressive 22 wins out of 23 games played across the last three ICC events under Rohit’s leadership.
Rachin Ravindra, who was named Player of the Tournament, is among four Kiwi players selected in the best XI. The lineup also features two from Afghanistan and five from the victorious Indian squad.
Ravindra has been chosen as an opener, a role in which he excelled, having scored all five of his ODI hundreds in ICC events. He will partner with Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran, who made headlines during the group stage by scoring a tournament-high 177 against England, leading Afghanistan to a stunning victory.
Virat Kohli slots in at number three, while Shreyas Iyer, who emerged as the tournament’s highest run-scorer, occupies the fourth position. Both Indian batsmen showcased their prowess, contributing significantly to the team’s unbeaten run. KL Rahul, serving as wicketkeeper, is included in the fifth slot, with New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips recognized as one of the best fielders in the game at sixth.
Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai, regarded as one of the top ODI players since last year, earned his place on the team due to his all-around performance. Captain Santner, who faced defeat in the final, is also part of the lineup, alongside seamers Mohammed Shami and New Zealand’s Matt Henry, who will share new ball duties.
The final spot in the team goes to mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, while Axar Patel is named as the 12th man.
ICC Champions Trophy Team of the Tournament
- Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand)
- Ibrahim Zadran (Afghanistan)
- Virat Kohli (India)
- Shreyas Iyer (India)
- KL Rahul (wk) (India)
- Glenn Phillips (New Zealand)
- Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan)
- Mitchell Santner (capt) (New Zealand)
- Mohammed Shami (India)
- Matt Henry (New Zealand)
- Varun Chakravarthy (India)
- Axar Patel (India) – 12th man
