'Wanted to bounce back after a tough Australia tour' - Kohli

India beat New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final on Sunday (March 9) to win the title for the third time in their history. Here's how the players from the winning side reacted post the victory.

Virat Kohli

We wanted to bounce back after a tough Australia tour, wanted to win a big tournament and we ended up doing that. So, it's an amazing feeling, lovely playing with a bunch of such amazing youngsters, so much talent in the change room and they're taking Indian cricket forward in the right direction. And we're really happy to help, share our experience and try to make an impact whenever we get a chance. But yeah, these guys are stepping up in a massive way and that's why we are such a strong team.

These are the things after playing for so long, such a long career, you look forward to situations where you're put under pressure and you walk in and you put your hand up. And I think to win titles, which has kind of been missing in the past, the whole team has to step up in different games. And if you see this tournament over the course of five matches, everyone has put their hand up somewhere or the other. And that's why we ended up winning this tournament. And people have made such impactful knocks, such impactful spells and it's only a collective effort that can win you a title. And I'm just so happy that we were able to play as a unit, just really enjoy ourselves. We've had such an amazing time as a team here in practice sessions, off the field, on the field.

It's been honestly an amazing, amazing tournament for us. As Shubman said, I try to speak to these guys as much as possible, try to share my experience, how I've been able to play for so long, try to step in wherever I can to help improve their games. And yeah, it's only as they rightly say, when you leave, you want to leave the place in a better position. And that's our effort. You know, that's what we're striving for. When eventually we are finally done at whatever stage, we have a squad that's ready to take on the world for the next eight, ten years. And these guys definitely have the talent to do so. And also the game awareness. And, you know, they've stepped up already, so many impactful innings. This guy's played (on Gill), Shreyas, beautiful. KL's been finishing games, Hardik's a match winner, so you know, we are in good hands.

We've always been in awe of what they (New Zealand) can do with the limited number of players they've had over the years and just maximize their talent to the absolute maximum. Every time we played against them in big games, you know they're going to come with a set plan. And no other team in world cricket executes plans as well as they do. They just know, every fielder knows where the bowler is going to bowl. And you can sense it. You know, they're all attacking the ball because they know the bowler is going to be so accurate. So credit to them.

They've been probably the most consistent team in the last few years in big tournaments. And the reason for that is their immense belief in their skills and the amount of talent they have. They utilize that to the maximum and easily the best fielding side in the world. So yeah, huge shout out to them. They continue to display why they are one of the top teams in the world. And again, a great campaign. Sad to see a very good friend of mine (Kane Williamson) on the losing side, but I've been on the losing side a couple of times when he's been on the winning side. So only love between us.

KL Rahul

I don't think I can say this on camera, but I was s****ing myself at the end. But we still had a couple of batters to come, so I was confident that we could get over the line. But in moments like this and big games, it's more about holding your composure, which we all know about. Yeah, happy to win this and happy to get over the line this time.

I think I've batted in times like this in three out of the five games. And one of the games. I didn't get to bat at all against Pakistan. So, yeah, the game's given me good time in the middle and good time to prepare for a big moment like this.

It's hard to put in words. But, yeah, it's just pure skill and the way we've all played our cricket growing up. And, you know, where we've had to face a lot of challenges, we've had to face pressure from the time we held the bat and from the time we decided to be professional cricketers. So, I think it's just the first class cricket, BCCI, how they've groomed every player, every talented player that comes around and giving us opportunities and platform to showcase our skills and to put ourselves under pressure and keep challenging ourselves and getting better. I think it all comes down to that.

Shubman Gill

Felt amazing, you know, for the most time I was just sitting back and enjoying Rohit Bhai's batting but I think we kept talking to each other and the partnership was very important for us and we kept talking. Rohit Bhai told me it doesn't matter how many balls you are behind, just keep looking at the scoreboard, you have to play till the end.

We missed out on the last one that we played in 2023 and a surreal feeling to be able to win this one, starting with the ODI series in England, winning eight ODIs. Watching him (Virat Kohli) on the TV when I was a kid and then playing against him and seeing the intensity at which he plays at is just phenomenal to watch. And I think it tells us what the game is all about, giving us everything. And that's the only thing that he talks about, even off the field as well, give your everything when you're playing on the field. And for him to be able to back his words like that is just phenomenal.

Hardik Pandya

Amazing to win an ICC event and especially Champions Trophy. You know, I remember 2017 very closely to my heart. We could not finish out the job then that time, but very very pleased with the way we have played throughout the tournament and at the same point of time, how everyone contributed.

That was calm, composed, you know he (KL Rahul) took his chances at the right point of time. I think this is what KL Rahul is. He has immense talent and I don't think anyone can hit the ball the way he can. I think that was just an exhibition of how he did today.

Shreyas Iyer

I'm feeling ecstatic, to be honest. It's ineffable and hard to say it in words, to be honest. This is my first ICC trophy and I'm kind of overwhelmed looking at each and every one in the dressing room, the way we've turned up towards this tournament and the way we progressed. It was simply magnificent.

To be honest, I love to go under pressure whenever there's a challenge. I feel I thrive under pressure and I love such moments. It's just that I've been getting amazing starts in the tournament and not able to get a big one. But at the end of the day, if I'm able to contribute to a team victory, that is immensely satisfying and I'm truly happy.

Ravindra Jadeja

My batting number is such that I'm either a hero or a zero at the end of the game. It was important that KL and Hardik did well in that partnership, them scoring runs was a game changing moment. The wicket wasn't easy going into batting at first. It's an important tournament, playing for India and winning the Champions Trophy for the country is big, you do regret when you don't be part of winning teams after having played for so many years. But I'm lucky that I've managed to be fit enough and performed at the highest level in winning the two tournaments, the 2024 T20 WC and the Champions Trophy now.

Kuldeep Yadav

Luckily (didn't have to go out and bat). Credit to KL (Rahul) bhai and Jaddu (Jadeja) bhai for finishing the game. There will be expectations when you are playing well. You get the tag of favourites but I don't believe in that tag. It is easy to say we are playing 4 spinners but it is very difficult to manage four spinners on the field. The way Rohit bhai managed it was outstanding. Because to read the batter, understand which batter will come out in certain situations, who should bowl when.. There is a lot of planning. It is not like it happens in one day. It was a plan since 2-3 days of how and what to bowl. We will party and the entire nation will party as well.