Indian Team Arrives for ICC Champions Trophy, Eyes Second Title Since 2013
The Indian cricket team landed in the host city on Saturday, aiming to secure the ICC Champions Trophy, which kicks off on February 18. The Men in Blue will be looking to reclaim the prestigious title after their last triumph in 2013 under MS Dhoni.
Upon arrival, the players and support staff moved as a unit, adhering to the BCCI’s new travel policy, and boarded a waiting team bus before heading to their hotel.
Among the first to arrive was captain Rohit Sharma, dressed in a crisp white T-shirt and black tracks, who was met with loud cheers of “Rohit bhai” and “Rohit sir” from eager fans at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai.
Other key members, including head coach Gautam Gambhir, vice-captain Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli, also reached the airport in the team bus. Some players greeted fans, signed autographs, and waved, making for a lively send-off before they boarded their afternoon flight to Dubai.
With renewed optimism following their dominant 3-0 ODI series victory over England, fans are hoping for another global title, much like the T20 World Cup win last June.
India, missing their pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, will begin their Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai. The much-anticipated clash against arch-rivals Pakistan follows on February 23, and their final league game against New Zealand is scheduled for March 2.
A few months ago, Hardik Pandya led the T20 World Cup victory parade, celebrating India’s triumph with a sea of fans near Wankhede Stadium. If similar celebrations are to take place next month, the team will need strong performances from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, both of whom have faced criticism for their recent Test cricket struggles.
However, both silenced critics with standout performances in the recent England ODIs – Rohit’s fluent 119 off 90 balls in Cuttack and Kohli’s 73rd ODI half-century in Ahmedabad. While these knocks offered some relief, consistent performances in the Champions Trophy are crucial for their long-term future in the Indian team.
With the next World Test Championship cycle beginning in June and the 2027 ODI World Cup on the horizon, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee will be watching their form closely in Dubai.
Kohli is just 37 runs shy of becoming the third player in ODI history to reach 14,000 runs, while Rohit needs only 12 runs to become the 10th batter to cross 11,000 ODI runs. However, individual records alone won’t be enough—a trophy is what truly matters.
With Jasprit Bumrah out due to injury, young bowlers Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana have a golden opportunity to prove themselves. Meanwhile, mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy could emerge as India’s X-factor in crucial matches.
A successful Champions Trophy campaign will depend on batting form, bowling execution, and team cohesion. If everything clicks, Rohit & Co. could return to Mumbai next month as triumphant champions once again.
