Virat Kohli asserts that India possesses a squad “ready to take on the world” for the next eight years, following their Champions Trophy victory against New Zealand. He praised players like Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Hardik Pandya for their outstanding performances and expressed satisfaction in bouncing back from a challenging Australia tour. Kohli emphasized the wealth of talent in the team, appreciating the contributions of senior players in mentoring the younger ones. He also commended New Zealand for their consistent execution of plans and fielding, highlighting their exceptional skills and the camaraderie shared with Kane Williamson.
“When you leave, you want to ensure you leave the team in a better position. I believe we have a squad that’s ready to take on the world for the next eight years,” Kohli remarked during the broadcast after the match. “Shubman [Gill] has been fantastic, Shreyas [Iyer] has been impressive, KL [Rahul] has been finishing games, and Hardik [Pandya] has excelled with the bat.”
Kohli mentioned that the Champions Trophy victory partially compensated for India’s Test series defeat in Australia. “It’s been incredible. We aimed to bounce back after a challenging Australian tour and wanted to secure a major tournament win, and we achieved that. So, it’s an incredible feeling.”
While celebrating beside Gill, Kohli was asked about his perspective on leaving the dressing room in a better state when his time comes to retire. “There’s so much talent in the dressing room,” he noted. “Everyone is striving to elevate their game further, and we [seniors] are just pleased to support them by sharing our experiences, and that’s what strengthens this Indian team.”
“These are the moments you aim for [titles], playing under pressure and rising to the occasion. The entire team has stepped up at various points during the tournament. Each player has delivered standout performances, and we’ve been part of a remarkable team. The effort we’ve put into practice sessions truly pays off; it feels fantastic.”
Kohli expressed his admiration for New Zealand. “It’s remarkable; we’ve always respected their ability to maximize their talent with a limited pool of players,” he said. “Whenever we face them in critical matches, we’re aware they will come with a well-thought-out plan. No team in world cricket executes their strategies as effectively as they do.”
“Every fielder is aware of where the bowler intends to bowl; you can sense it. They all attack the ball, knowing that the bowler will be precise. Kudos to them for being the most consistent team in recent tournaments. Their immense belief in their skills and the way they maximize their talent is commendable.”
“They are undoubtedly the best fielding side globally, and they deserve a huge shout-out. They consistently prove why they rank among the top teams worldwide. It’s bittersweet to see a close friend [Kane Williamson] on the losing side, but I’ve experienced the losing side a few times when he’s been the victor, so there’s only love between us.”