Image: Rohit Sharma was greeted by a huge crowd of fans in Mumbai / © Mint
After winning the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India’s captain Rohit Sharma returned to Mumbai, where he was greeted by huge crowds of fans. Due to the overwhelming response, Mumbai Police provided security to escort him safely home. India secured their first ICC 50-over title in 12 years, defeating New Zealand by four wickets in the final held in Dubai. Rohit played a crucial role, scoring 76 runs off 83 balls, leading from the front.
Despite the historic win, there were no grand celebrations like the T20 World Cup 2024 victory parade, as players had limited time before the IPL 2025 season. Instead, they returned home to rest and prepare for the two-month-long tournament. Rohit Sharma, who was retained by Mumbai Indians for INR 16.30 crore, will feature in the upcoming IPL under the leadership of Hardik Pandya.
The tournament also sparked controversy, as critics argued that India had an unfair advantage by playing all matches in Dubai, while teams like New Zealand and South Africa had to travel frequently between Pakistan and UAE.
Varun Chakravarthy, India’s joint second-highest wicket-taker, responded humorously to these claims, posting a celebratory photo with a cup of coffee, subtly addressing the criticism. Despite the debate, India’s undefeated run in the tournament cemented their dominance in international cricket.