When Ravindra Jadeja, on the last ball of the 49th over of the innings, pulled O’Rourke for four to hand India its third Championship trophy, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli—the doyens of Indian cricket—broke into impromptu dandiya celebrations in the desert to mark the victory. This was the fourth ICC trophy to bear the names of the duo. It was a night of redemption for Rohit, the captain and ICC Player of the Match (76 runs), who put on a blistering 105-run opening partnership with Vice-Captain Shubman Gill (31 runs)—the first opening century partnership of the tournament. Only a few months ago after a string of poor performances, Rohit had been ignominiously left out of the Sydney Test in Australia. Even heading into the Champions Trophy final, there were murmurs of his possible retirement had India lost. 1 IN 32,768 India did not have the best start, as their captain lost his 15th consecutive toss. The probability of losing 15 tosses in a row is an astonishingly low 1 in 32,768 (as calculated by ESPNcricinfo), yet this has now happened to India in men’s ODIs. The 15 consecutive tosses lost by India mark the longest streak for any team in men’s ODIs; the previous record was held by the Netherlands, who lost 11 tosses between 2011 and 2013. TWELVE IN A ROW For Rohit Sharma as captain, this was the 12th consecutive toss lost in ODIs since he last won one against New Zealand in the 2023 World Cup semi-final. He has now equalled the longest streak of lost tosses for a captain in men’s ODIs—previously set by Brian Lara, who lost 12 tosses between 1998 and 1999. FIVE WITHOUT LOSS Despite Rohit losing every toss in the tournament, Team India—pre-tournament favourites, even in the absence of their star bowler Jasprit Bumrah—played like a dream XI, winning all five matches comprehensively. Though in the final, there were tense moments in the middle (when India suffered a sudden mini-collapse, losing three quick wickets) and towards the end (when every run mattered), India ultimately conquered New Zealand in style, winning by four wickets with six balls to spare. In the semi-final and three league matches as well, it was a dream run for India. The team defeated Australia by four wickets in the semi-final, while in the group stage, India beat New Zealand by 44 runs, thrashed Pakistan by six wickets, and overcame Bangladesh by six wickets with more than three overs remaining. THE FAB FOUR Every Indian batter sparkled, making significant contributions in different matches, which not only showcased their individual brilliance but also underscored the depth and talent within India’s batting line-up. However, when it comes to standout batting performances, a gang of “Fab Four” distinguished themselves with the way they anchored their innings, built formidable partnerships, and accelerated the scoring rate when required—on pitches that were not particularly batter-friendly. These players not only stabilised the innings in challenging moments but also guided the run chases with class and composure, ensuring that Bharat retained its competitive edge in every game. Brilliant stroke play, punishing loose balls, immaculate shot selection, and an exceptional ability to read the game set Indian batters apart from their competitors. The result was a plethora of match-winning, gritty centuries and half-centuries. Here is the brief story of Bharat’s “Fab Four” batting heroes, who played defining roles with stability, momentum, and match-winning performances to bring home a record third ICC Champions Trophy in 2025. Shreyas Iyer – 5 matches, 243 runs, highest score 79 Rightly called the “silent hero” of the triumph by Captain Rohit, Iyer was an exemplar of consistency throughout the tournament. Over the course of five matches, he amassed a total of 243 runs—the highest by an Indian batter—at an average of 48.6, with a strike rate of 80, hitting 16 fours and 5 sixes. His highest score of the tournament was a commendable 79, and he also made a valuable contribution of 48 runs in the final, bringing stability after New Zealand bounced back with three quick wickets to leave India at 122/3 from 105/1. Virat Kohli – 5 matches, 1 not out, 218 runs, highest score 100 Once again, King Kohli emerged near the top, amassing 218 runs over five matches with an impressive average of 72.33. His standout performances included an unbeaten 100 off 111 balls against Pakistan, leading India to a six-wicket victory, and a gritty, pivotal 84-run knock in the semi-final—a match that sent Australia packing. Throughout the tournament, Kohli’s excellence, consistency, and ability to perform under pressure were the mainstays of India’s success. His performances further cemented his legacy as one of the game’s greats. Shubman Gill – 5 matches, 188 runs, average 47, 17 fours, 3 sixes Gill not only shared the crucial 100-run opening partnership with Rohit in the final—a decisive factor in India clinching the trophy—but also set India on the winning path in the tournament opener against Bangladesh. His unbeaten 101 guided India to a six-wicket victory, marking a strong start to the campaign. KL Rahul – The Run Chaser and Finisher This was a redemption championship for India’s wicketkeeper and middle-order batting star, KL Rahul. His tally of 136 runs in the tournament does not fully reflect his invaluable contribution as a finisher and a key player in crunch moments—those that separate winners from losers. As Captain Rohit aptly put it: “He has a very solid mind and never gets overwhelmed by pressure. That’s one reason we wanted him in the middle phase to finish the game for us. His experience and calmness while batting allows others, like Hardik, to play freely.” Rahul reasserted himself as a run-chaser and finisher par excellence, remaining unbeaten three times in five innings, including in the final, where he played a composed 34* off 33 balls. THE BOWLING BRIGADE – QUARTET TO THE FORE India’s new quartet of spinners—Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy—proved to be both miserly with runs and ruthless against opposition batters, with the sole exception of Steve Smith in the semi-finals. What a tournament they had- nabbing 26 wickets, most of them at critical juncture and a staggering economy rate of 4.5 runs per over. It was an incredible performance from the quartet in the final, where the Indian spinners bowled a combined 38 overs, conceding just 144 runs while accounting for 5 of New Zealand’s 7 wickets. They also delivered 125 dot balls, meaning New Zealand’s batters failed to score for nearly 21 of the 38 overs bowled by the spinners. When the pressure was mounting on India, Kuldeep with his variations scalped two best players of spin-consistent Kane and dangerous Rathin. Not to be outdone, the fast and furious Mohammed Shami finished with 9 scalps, making him the joint second-highest wicket-taker alongside Varun Chakaravarthy, just behind New Zealand’s Matt Henry, who took 10 wickets in 4 matches. And the saga of the spin quartet would be incomplete without mentioning the heroics of Axar Patel and Jadeja with the bat. Here is their story: One: Axar Patel In the final group match against New Zealand, India found themselves in deep trouble at 30/3 inside seven overs. But then came Axar, who joined hands with Shreyas Iyer to stitch together a crucial 98-run partnership for the fifth wicket. In the process, he crafted a composed 42 off 61 balls, helping India post 249. In the crucial semi-final against Australia—India’s traditional nemesis—Axar stepped in once again after the dismissal of Shreyas Iyer, with the scoreboard reading just 134 in the chase of 266. He played a vital cameo, scoring 27 off 30 balls, dominating the 44-run stand with Kohli and ensuring India remained in control against their toughest opponents. Two: Ravindra Jadeja The image of MS Dhoni launching Sri Lankan bowler Nuwan Kulasekara over long-on for a six at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, sealing India’s 2011 World Cup triumph after a 28-year wait, has been etched in my memory for the past 14 years. While it will never be overshadowed, it will now be joined by another iconic moment—Jadeja’s slap through the square leg boundary for four, sealing India’s third ICC Champions Trophy in 2025. This win has secured India its third Champions Trophy and seventh ICC title (1983 ODI World Cup, 2002 Champions Trophy, 2007 ICC World T20, 2011 ODI World Cup, 2013 Champions Trophy and 2024 T20 World Cup). More importantly, it is also Bharat’s second ICC triumph in two years following the T20 World Cup in the West Indies. It also marks the fourth ICC title for both Kohli and Rohit. This tryst with destiny is not only a tribute to every player who brought the trophy home (every one of the playing eleven made an important contribution at least in one game of the tournament) but also to the very spirit of the game. That is what makes Dandiya in the Desert especially sweet. The author is multidisciplinary thought leader with Action Bias, India-based international impact consultant, and keen watcher of changing national and international scenarios. He works as president advisory services of consulting company BARSYL. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.