Champions trophy victory: India maintained unbeaten streak without participation of Bumrah
Throughout their eight-and-a-half-month unbeaten period the team won a second ICC tournament by exemplifying dominating performance to claim their status as the dominant limited-overs team.
The team encountered three consecutive One-Day International losses to Sri Lanka during the Rohit Sharma-Gautam Gambhir leadership duration in August. During the series events the team unexpectedly went from expecting victory against Bangladesh at home to losing 0-3 to New Zealand at their home grounds followed by a near-defeat against Australia's 3-1 win until both Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir retired because of the team's weak performance.
Global bowling elite
The Champions Trophy approached rapidly following India’s absence to select another team from Australia. The Indian team had to prepare their tactics by playing three matches against England on English soil. India played their Champions Trophy matches without their main source of victory along with their selected team leader and secure all-rounder who remains recognized as global bowling elite.
No Bumrah, no problem
The great team work of Rohit and his players prevented the 'B' word from arising so far during the three-week period. What strategy would work to replace the absence of Jasprit Bumrah? Which strategy will successfully replace the performance of Jasprit Bumrah? Smart thinking along with mental intelligence has proven successful in this situation. The team believes in themselves while disregarding any complaints about the missing athlete. The nation utilized exceptional teamwork to create something larger than itself which became unstoppable. The team achieved ICC tournament victory for a second time during their eight-and-a-half-month unbeaten streak because they demonstrated exceptional dominance which established their position as the leading limited-overs team.
Dubai International Cricket Stadium
Such an outcome could have unfolded so easily different way. The Indian team involved a bowling squad that seemed unprepared for the upcoming tournament when it began. The fast-bowling role opened after Jasprit Bumrah's absence was filled by Mohammed Shami yet he played only two ODIs within the past 15 months since the World Cup final in November after his heel surgery. Two 50-over matches were all Kuldeep Yadav managed to play after his November procedures to address sporting hernia issues. Shami’s fellow pace mates Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana had nine and three ODIs under their belts at the time of the tournament. India named Varun Chakravarthy as their substitute due to the anticipated slow spin-friendly wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium despite having only one ODI cap to his name.
Australia during semifinal stage
India managed to secure 47 wickets throughout their five matches despite that achievement. India managed to dismiss their initial four competitors with the ball. India restricted their opposition to under 264 runs at minimum keeping 25 runs falling short of the average total while playing Australia during semifinal stage on their optimal batting pitch. Shami achieved nine wickets along with exactly the same number from Chakravarthy. Spinner Kuldeep showed his mettle in the last match against New Zealand as he delivered a stellar performance after dealing with a shaky start at the T20 tournament while Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja maintained low figures at 4.35 per over through their left-arm finger spin. The bowling group displayed threatening instincts through their bowling tactics without showing excessive ambition while maintaining accuracy without waste.
Rohit throughout its achievement
Rohit understood that strike-rotation would be difficult in the Powerplay so he took on the bowling approach because he predicted a challenging situation with spin bowling and an aging ball and a wide field setup. The risks he took during bowling decisions were carefully planned but he bravely went forward anyway. The team needed a daring and unconventional start so he willingly exposed his uncharacteristically unattractive batting style to launch the game. On the most important night of the season his dedication to the team brought him the brightest success. The title success established an undeniable trace of Rohit throughout its achievement.
