Credit: BCCI/X
One of the heartbreaking moments for team India and fans is losing the 2023 World Cup final against Australia in Ahmedabad after winning all games. Shubman Gill, India's vice-captain and opening batsman, hopes to learn from his prior mistakes as the Men in Blue prepare for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 summit encounter against New Zealand in Dubai on Sunday. The forthcoming final will be Gill's second in ODIs. The 25-year-old recalled having "some nerves" before the game. In a recent tournament, Gill made a good comeback and was listed as the best batter in the game.
Reflecting on the loss against Australia, Gill recommended that he should take more time to prepare for a huge score rather than hurrying himself. Ahead of India's match against New Zealand on Sunday, Gill said, “Obviously some nerves in that match. (I learned) a lot of things. It was my first ICC Final … I was very excited (It felt like) I was losing time to dominate in that game. I think in big ICC knockout matches; you can give yourself a little bit more time than you think," as quoted in News18.
"We have good momentum going with us in this tournament," Shubman Gill on the upcoming final ODI match
Going back to India's performances over the years, team India has been in good form and winning maximum series matches. The team has reached the finals of every championship since 2023. This comprises the World Test Championship final for the 2021-23 cycle, the 2023 ODI World Cup, the T20 World Cup in 2024, and the Champions Trophy in 2025.
Despite this result, India only managed to win T20 World Cup, and Gill is quite confident they will set a strong competing score against the Black Caps in the final match. “We lost (the World Cup Final) in ‘23 and then won in the T20 World Cup (in 2024). So, I think we have got good momentum going with us in this tournament. It’s going to be a really exciting game for us and definitely, if we are able to win this one, I think it would be a great way to end this format this year," Gill said.
India last claimed its win in the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013, and although they advanced to the final in 2017, they were defeated by Pakistan in the final.
