India, captained by Rohit Sharma, is to play against New Zealand in the 2025 Champions Trophy final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Rohit is to make his ninth appearance in an ICC event final, and the occasion gives him a great chance to enhance his record in championship finals.
Even though he has been successful in ICC tournaments, his final performances have not been as influential as most would want from a player of his stature. Let’s examine Rohit Sharma’s record in ICC event finals and see why this final might be his greatest opportunity to change the tide.
Rohit Sharma’s Record in ICC Event Finals
Rohit Sharma has appeared in a record 8 ICC event finals throughout his career. Yet, his performance in such pressure games has been wanting.
– 2007 T20 World Cup Final: India played Pakistan in the final of India’s first ICC event. Rohit Sharma scored a vital cameo of 30 runs from 16 balls, but his effort could not help his team reach a notable personal milestone.
– 2013 Champions Trophy Final: In this final, Rohit was out for a mere 9 runs, contributing very little to India’s score.
– 2014 T20 World Cup Final: Once again, Rohit’s performance was unimpressive as he scored 29 runs off 26 balls.
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– 2017 ICC Champions Trophy Final: This was one of his worst performances in a final, where he got out without scoring (a duck).
– 2024 ICC Champions Trophy Final: In the latest final prior to the next game, Rohit scored a mere 9 runs off 5 balls.
This lopsided record has resulted in some doubts about Rohit Sharma’s performance when the stakes are at their peak in the ICC tournament finals.
Statistical Breakdown of Rohit’s Final Matches
Rohit Sharma has now appeared in 10 finals of ICC events, scoring 246 runs. This places his average at 27.33 and his strike rate at 74 in finals, which is less than what one would expect from a player of his caliber. Though Rohit has appeared in several big-ticket finals, his best score in any of those games still stands at only 47 runs, achieved in the final of the 2023 World Cup.
Rohit Sharma is the lone player to have scored more than 140 runs in ICC event finals without scoring a single fifty. This lackluster stat piles pressure on him to finally provide a big contribution in a final and lose the label of being an underperformer when things count.
The Pressure of Final Matches
Rohit Sharma’s ICC event final record has become something of a saga in his career. Despite his outstanding success in every other area of his career, these finals have been a nagging thorn in his side.
While his preparation in the run-up to these finals has been fantastic, his failure to translate this preparation into match-winning innings in pivotal finals has been a stain.
Yet with India facing New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final, Rohit Sharma has an opportunity to end this negative blot on his record. He has played well during the tournament but has tended to get out trying to push the scoring. If he can come into the final with a calmer approach, there is no reason why he cannot play a match-winning innings and finally get it right in an ICC event final.
Rohit’s Chance to Rewrite History
This Champions Trophy final is as good an opportunity as there is for Rohit Sharma to put aside his disappointing ICC event final record. He is facing a New Zealand team that has been amazingly consistent, but one that is susceptible to being outplayed if India’s star men step up to the plate.
Rohit’s composure to bat and ability to change his game according to the conditions can prove to be the turning point for India’s victory. If he plays a strategic innings and does not let the temptation of scoring quick runs in the beginning, there are high chances that he will not only score big but will also put an end to the history of underperformance in finals.
For Rohit Sharma, this final is greater than just another game; it’s his opportunity to mark his dominance as one of the greats of the game in all forms and situations. With his incredible talent and leadership skills, he can leverage this stage to finally deliver on the big stage when it matters the most.
A Defining Moment for Rohit Sharma
The 2025 Champions Trophy final against New Zealand is a landmark moment in the career of Rohit Sharma. It gives him the chance to silence critics who have raised his failure to deliver big performances in ICC event finals.
With India’s expectations on his shoulders, this final provides Rohit the opportunity to rewrite his history in ICC event title matches and cement his legacy as one of the greatest players in contemporary cricket. Only time will tell if he can come up to the mark and break the ‘finals curse’ that has so far plagued him.
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