The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially revealed the Team of the Tournament for the Champions Trophy 2025, following India’s thrilling four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the final held on March 9, 2025, in Dubai. The team features five players from the champion Indian side, four from runners-up New Zealand, and two from Afghanistan, highlighting the standout performers from the ninth edition of this prestigious tournament.
Team Composition
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Team of the Tournament consists of:
- Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand)
- Ibrahim Zadran (Afghanistan)
- Virat Kohli (India)
- Shreyas Iyer (India)
- KL Rahul (wk) (India)
- Glenn Phillips (New Zealand)
- Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan)
- Mitchell Santner (capt) (New Zealand)
- Mohammed Shami (India)
- Matt Henry (New Zealand)
- Varun Chakravarthy (India)
- Axar Patel (India) – 12th man
New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner was named captain of this elite squad, while his teammate Rachin Ravindra earned the prestigious Player of the Tournament award for his outstanding all-round performance12.
Indian Dominance
India’s triumph in the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand saw five of their players earn spots in the team of the tournament10. The Indian contingent includes:
- Virat Kohli: The veteran batter finished fifth in the run-scoring charts with 218 runs at an impressive average of 54.50. His unbeaten century against Pakistan in the group stage and crucial 84-run knock in the semi-final against Australia were instrumental in India’s success26.
- Shreyas Iyer: India’s top run-scorer in the tournament with 243 runs, including two half-centuries that helped stabilize the middle order in crucial matches24.
- KL Rahul: The wicketkeeper-batsman averaged a remarkable 140 thanks to his unbeaten knocks of 42 and 34 in the semi-final and final respectively. His calm presence behind the stumps and reliable batting made him an automatic selection26.
- Mohammed Shami: Capping a successful return from injury, Shami claimed nine wickets throughout the tournament, providing crucial breakthroughs at important junctures212.
- Varun Chakravarthy: The mystery spinner took nine wickets in just three matches, maintaining an impressive economy rate and never conceding more than 49 runs in his full allocation of overs212.
- Axar Patel: Named as the 12th man, Patel’s all-round abilities provided valuable balance to the Indian team throughout their campaign2.
New Zealand’s Stellar Performers
Despite falling short in the final, New Zealand had four players making the team of the tournament, showcasing their consistent performances10:
- Rachin Ravindra: The Player of the Tournament led the run-scoring charts with 263 runs, including two centuries – one against Bangladesh and another in the semi-final against South Africa. The 25-year-old missed the opening game against Pakistan yet still managed to score the most runs in the competition125.
- Glenn Phillips: One of New Zealand’s most impactful players, Phillips contributed significantly with both bat and in the field. His diving one-handed catch to dismiss Shubman Gill in the final was one of his three sensational takes in the tournament. He also scored a half-century against Pakistan and took two wickets against South Africa in the semi-final210.
- Mitchell Santner: Named as the team captain, Santner picked up nine wickets to finish joint second on the top wicket-takers list. His ability to take game-changing wickets was evident throughout the tournament, including in the final where he removed both Gill and Iyer212.
- Matt Henry: Despite missing the final due to a shoulder injury picked up during New Zealand’s semi-final win over South Africa, Henry finished as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 10 wickets at an average of 16.7024.
Afghanistan’s Historic Representation
Afghanistan’s breakthrough Champions Trophy performance was recognized with two of their players making the team10:
- Ibrahim Zadran: The opener left his mark on the tournament by scoring a brilliant match-winning knock of 177 against England in the group stage – the highest-ever individual score in Champions Trophy history. He finished with 216 runs at an impressive average of 72.0012.
- Azmatullah Omarzai: The fast-bowling all-rounder impressed with both bat and ball, finishing with seven wickets and 126 runs at an average of 42.00. His versatility made him a valuable addition to the team210.
Tournament Statistics
Top Run-Scorers
| Player Name | Team | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate | 50s | 100s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rachin Ravindra | NZ | 4 | 4 | 263 | 112 | 65.75 | 106.47 | 0 | 2 |
| Shreyas Iyer | IND | 5 | 5 | 243 | 79 | 48.60 | 79.41 | 2 | 0 |
| Ben Duckett | ENG | 3 | 3 | 227 | 165 | 75.66 | 108.61 | 0 | 1 |
| Joe Root | ENG | 3 | 3 | 225 | 120 | 75.00 | 96.56 | 0 | 1 |
| Virat Kohli | IND | 5 | 5 | 218 | 100* | 54.50 | 82.88 | 0 | 1 |
| Ibrahim Zadran | AFG | 3 | 3 | 216 | 177 | 72.00 | 106.40 | 0 | 1 |
Top Wicket-Takers
| Player Name | Team | Matches | Runs Conceded | Wickets | Best Bowling | Economy | 4W | 5W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Henry | NZ | 4 | 167 | 10 | 5/42 | 5.32 | 0 | 1 |
| Varun Chakravarthy | IND | 3 | 136 | 9 | 5/42 | 4.53 | 0 | 1 |
| Mitchell Santner | NZ | 5 | 240 | 9 | 3/43 | 4.80 | 0 | 0 |
| Mohammad Shami | IND | 5 | 233 | 9 | 5/53 | 5.68 | 0 | 1 |
| Michael Bracewell | NZ | 5 | 201 | 8 | 4/26 | 4.10 | 1 | 0 |
Key Moments from the Tournament
The Champions Trophy 2025 featured several memorable performances that shaped the outcome of the tournament:
- India’s Path to Glory: India defeated Australia in the semi-finals, with Virat Kohli’s 84 helping them chase down 265 – the highest-ever successful chase in a knockout match against Australia in an ICC tournament6. In the final, Rohit Sharma led the chase with 76 off 83 balls, and KL Rahul’s unbeaten 34 helped India cross the finish line on 254-6 in 49 overs to secure their third Champions Trophy title5.
- Record-Breaking Performances: Ibrahim Zadran’s 177 against England became the highest individual score in Champions Trophy history, while Virat Kohli surpassed Sachin Tendulkar’s record for most 50-plus scores in ICC ODI tournaments, reaching 24 compared to Sachin’s 23611.
- New Zealand’s Journey: The Kiwis showed remarkable consistency throughout the tournament, with Rachin Ravindra scoring centuries against Bangladesh and South Africa. Their semi-final victory over South Africa, powered by Ravindra’s 108, showcased their ability to perform under pressure2.
- Afghanistan’s Breakthrough: Afghanistan registered their first-ever Champions Trophy win in their debut appearance, with Ibrahim Zadran’s record-breaking innings against England being the highlight of their campaign2.
Selection Process
The Team of the Tournament was selected by a distinguished panel consisting of commentators and former international players Ian Bishop, Simon Doull, and Aaron Finch, along with Hindustan Times journalist Rasesh Mandani and ICC General Manager Events and Corporate Communications, Gaurav Saxena212.
The selection was based on individual performances, impact on matches, and overall contribution to their team’s success throughout the tournament.
Tournament Format and Venues
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, the ninth edition of the tournament, was hosted by the Pakistan Cricket Board from February 19 to March 9, 20253. The tournament featured matches in Pakistan and the UAE, with the final being played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
The tournament followed a traditional format with two groups of four teams each, with the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals. India emerged as champions after defeating New Zealand in the final, while Australia and South Africa were the other semi-finalists.
FAQs about the Champions Trophy 2025
Q1: Who won the ICC Champions Trophy 2025?
A: India won the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, defeating New Zealand in the final by four wickets. This was India’s third Champions Trophy title.
Q2: Who was named Player of the Tournament?
A: Rachin Ravindra of New Zealand was named Player of the Tournament for his outstanding performance, scoring 263 runs including two centuries.
Q3: Which player scored the most runs in the tournament?
A: Rachin Ravindra of New Zealand topped the run-scoring charts with 263 runs in four matches at an average of 65.75.
Q4: Who took the most wickets in the tournament?
A: Matt Henry of New Zealand was the leading wicket-taker with 10 wickets, despite missing the final due to injury.
Q5: What was the highest individual score in the tournament?
A: Ibrahim Zadran of Afghanistan scored 177 against England, which became the highest individual score in Champions Trophy history.
Q6: How many Indian players were selected in the Team of the Tournament?
A: Five Indian players were selected in the playing XI, with one more (Axar Patel) named as the 12th man, making it a total of six Indians in the squad.
Q7: Who captained the Team of the Tournament?
A: Mitchell Santner of New Zealand was named captain of the Team of the Tournament.
Q8: Which teams had players represented in the Team of the Tournament?
A: Three teams had players in the Team of the Tournament: India (5 players + 12th man), New Zealand (4 players), and Afghanistan (2 players).
Q9: Where was the final of the Champions Trophy 2025 played?
A: The final was played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the UAE.
Q10: How many centuries were scored in the tournament?
A: Multiple centuries were scored in the tournament, including two by Rachin Ravindra, one each by Virat Kohli and Ibrahim Zadran, among others.
Conclusion
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Team of the Tournament represents the cream of cricketing talent that shone during this prestigious competition. With a balanced mix of established stars and emerging talents, the team reflects the high standard of cricket played throughout the tournament.
India’s dominance is evident with five players in the XI, justifying their status as champions. New Zealand’s strong showing with four players, including the Player of the Tournament Rachin Ravindra, highlights their consistent performances despite falling at the final hurdle. Afghanistan’s representation with two players marks their arrival as a competitive force in global cricket tournaments.
As the cricket world looks ahead to future ICC events, the performances of these selected players will be remembered as benchmarks of excellence in limited-overs cricket. The Champions Trophy 2025 has once again showcased cricket’s ability to produce thrilling contests and individual brilliance on the global stage.
