Legendary spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is quite pleased with India’s dominant display in the Champions Trophy 2025 that culminated with the Rohit Sharma-led side clinching the title on Sunday (March 9) in Dubai.
In the summit clash, India chased down New Zealand’s target of 252 with four wickets in hand and an over to spare. As a result, the Men in Blue became the Champions Trophy winners for the record-extending third time.
Impressed by their performance in the marquee event, Ashwin said that the current India team can dominate the world like Australia did in the 1990s and 2000s.
“I think the world cricketing fraternity will take some time to catch up with the Indian team if we go on with this flow," Ashwin said on his Hindi YouTube channel.
“In the future it will be a huge advantage for India’s next generation. India can replicate what Australia did in the 90s and till 2010. India have that arsenal and infrastructure," he added.
Ashwin, who called time on his international career last December, lauded India’s bowling and credited them for the Champions Trophy triumph.
“We just need to remind everyone that we have not won because of the batting; it was because of our bowling. Please look after the bowlers. From the grassroots level, we must encourage the bowlers," he said.
“There was no Jasprit Bumrah, and we won the trophy without Jasprit Bumrah. Isn’t it amazing? What does it tell you about Indian cricket? I am so very happy. This particular CT is completely dedicated to the bowlers. Without Jasprit Bumrah, we won. Hats off to the bowlers."
According to Ashwin, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakaravarthy are confirmed starters for India in the T20 World Cup 2026.
“In the 2026 World T20 team, write the names of Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakaravarthy, and then pick your squad. It will be one hell of an attack."
Ashwin reckons India would have won many ICC tournaments in the past as well but missed out due to bad luck.
“I always felt that luck was not going our way all this year when it comes to the ICC events. We were always a quality side. In the last ten years we could have won more. The 2017 CT final was a par score at the Oval; we didn’t win. The 2014 T20 World Cup in Bangladesh, we lost the final against Sri Lanka. But this feeling is amazing," he said.
“I have said this after we won the T20 World Cup that now we are going to win two or three on the bounce. I was a bit nervous, but I was confident. It was written all over; it was New Zealand who were under pressure," he further remarked.
Ashwin was also happy for India head coach Gautam Gambhir, who was drawing a lot of flak after back-to-back Test series defeats against New Zealand and Australia.
“I am so happy for Rohit and GG (Gautam Gambhir). Especially for GG, imagine what he must be going through. We lost the home series against New Zealand. But he took a brave decision, replacing Jasprit Bumrah with Varun Chakaravarthy."
