Shubman Gill says India are hungry for another major title to add to the T20 World Cup they won last year.
That thrilling win over South Africa in the final Barbados in 2024 was their first in an ICC global event for 11 years. Their previous title was the Champions Trophy which they won in England in 2013.
They will be pushing to regain the Champions Trophy when they face New Zealand in Sunday’s final at a sold-out Dubai International Stadium.
Gill, India’s vice-captain, is one of a variety of their batters who are entering the final in fine form. He says their confidence is not just swelled by their recent performances, but also by the memories of that title success last year.
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Virat Kohli hit 84 as India beat Australia by four wickets in the Champions Trophy semi-final at Dubai International Stadium on March 4, 2025. AFP -
India's KL Rahul (42 not out) and Ravindra Jadeja (two not out) celebrate after the victory over Australia in Dubai. Getty Images -
Australia's Cooper Connolly, centre, celebrates the dismissal of India captain Rohit Sharma for 28. AP -
India's Shreyas Iyer is bowled by Adam Zampa of Australia for 45. Getty Images -
Australia's Marnus Labuschagne of Australia drops a catch off India opener Rohit Sharma. Getty Images -
India's Virat Kohli scored 84 off 98 balls including five fours. AP -
Captain Steve Smith top-scored for Australia with 73 off 96 balls, including four fours and a six, as his team were bowled out for 264. AP -
Australia batter Alex Carey is run-out by India's Shreyas Iyer (not in picture). AP -
India's Axar Patel celebrates after bowling Australia batter Glenn Maxwell for seven. AFP -
India's Shreyas Iyer takes a catch to dismiss Australia batter Ben Dwarshuis for 19, off the bowling of Varun Chakaravarthy. Reuters -
Australia's Alex Carey scored 61 off 57 balls including eight fours and one six. AFP -
India's Ravindra Jadeja, left, celebrates with teammate Virat Kohli after taking the wicket of Australia batter Marnus Labuschagne for 29. AFP -
Australia batter Steve Smith is bowled by India's Mohammed Shami. AP -
India fielder Shubman Gill takes a catch to dismiss Australia's Travis Head. AFP -
Australia's Travis Head hit a quickfire 39 off 33 balls, including five fours and two sixes. AP -
India's Shubman Gill , right. celebrates with teammate Hardik Pandya after taking the catch to dismiss Australia opener Travis Head. AFP
“Sometimes once you get one title, then I think that kind of breaks the jinx, and it gives you the momentum,” Gill said.
“Also, you are not very desperate about getting the title and it’s not good when desperation kicks in. Then it’s hard to put the occasion out of the equation.
“In all these big matches the players or the teams that can put the pressure and the occasion out of the game has a better chance of winning it.
“Winning the title in 2024 doesn’t mean that we are less hungry, but I think it kind of makes us more balanced. Yes, we have won an ICC title, and we'll try to do our best to win this one.”
Speculation has been mounting that Rohit Sharma, the India captain, could retire from one-day international cricket if India are successful on Sunday.
His young understudy, Gill, said the matter has not been discussed and that the side are solely focused on what they need to do to beat New Zealand.
He did acknowledge that playing alongside the likes of Rohit and Virat Kohli is a privilege.
“This is the best batting line-up that I have been part of personally,” Gill said. “Rohit and Virat I think all time one day greats in the world.
“Rohit is one of the best openers in white ball. And Virat is one of the best ODI batsmen ever. [Also] we have Shreyas [Iyer] in such a good form, KL [Rahul], Hardik [Pandya], and [Ravindra] Jadeja. I think the depth in our batting makes it easier for the top-order batsmen.
“We can play more freely from the top because we have so much depth. I think this is one thing in which we struggled a little in the beginning.
“There was not enough depth in batting, so there was a little more pressure on the batsmen to bat long. But I think the depth in batting allows us to play a little more freely.”
