India’s recent Champions Trophy victory has once
again showcased the team's remarkable depth and bench strength, proving that no
individual player is irreplaceable. Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has
emphasized this fact, highlighting how India clinched the title despite the
absence of their star pacer, Jasprit Bumrah.
India's Unbeaten Run in the Champions Trophy
Under Rohit Sharma's captaincy, India delivered a
dominant performance, securing its third Champions Trophy title. The
team remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, registering victories against
Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand in the league stage before
defeating Australia in the semi-final. The grand finale saw India
overpower New Zealand, avenging their loss in the 2000 final held in
Nairobi.
However, what made this victory even more remarkable was India’s
ability to win without Bumrah, a bowler widely regarded as one of the best
in the world. His absence raised concerns about India’s chances, but the team
responded by making bold selections, bringing in Harshit Rana and
Varun Chakaravarthy, who played crucial roles in securing the title.
Gavaskar’s Take on India’s Depth
Gavaskar, in his column for The Mid-Day, acknowledged
that India’s success proves the team is no longer dependent on a handful of
players. He noted that after India’s 1-3 Test series defeat to Australia,
they regrouped quickly and responded with a dominant run in the Champions
Trophy.
"India's win in the Champions Trophy was one sweet
win, especially after the disappointing Test series loss to Australia. For a
team that had won the first Test in such style to then lose three of the next
four games was not a true reflection of its strength," wrote Gavaskar.
Bumrah's Absence and the Team's Response
During the Australia series, India’s bowling attack
heavily relied on Bumrah, making his absence in the final Test a
significant factor in their defeat. However, in the Champions Trophy,
the team proved they could thrive even without their ace pacer. Players
like Rana and Chakaravarthy stepped up, delivering match-winning
performances.
✔ Harshit Rana took 3/31
against Bangladesh and 1/30 against Pakistan.
✔ Varun Chakaravarthy replaced him and turned
the game around with a stunning 5/52 against New Zealand, securing his
spot in the knockouts.
Gavaskar was highly impressed with these performances,
stating that India’s triumph without Bumrah reinforced the idea that no
player is indispensable.
"The Champions Trophy win, achieved without Bumrah,
emphasizes that no individual is bigger than the team. In the past too, India
has won without Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. While their presence makes the
team even stronger, the squad has proved it can win under any
circumstances."
India’s Preparation and Road to Victory
After returning from Australia’s Test series, India
had limited time to prepare for the Champions Trophy. However, they made the
most of it by securing a 3-0 ODI series win against England, which
boosted their confidence heading into the tournament.
Gavaskar believes that the team’s ability to bounce back
from setbacks and perform consistently on the big stage highlights the
depth of talent in Indian cricket.
"The comprehensive ODI and T20 series wins against
England showed the immense talent in Indian cricket. This team has proved that
it doesn’t matter who is in or out; India has enough match-winners to
succeed," he added.
The Message Is Clear: India Is a Powerhouse
With their Champions Trophy triumph, India has
reaffirmed its position as one of the strongest teams in world cricket. While
superstars like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah add immense value,
the team has enough depth to win without them when needed.
Gavaskar’s words send a clear message—India’s success
is no longer dependent on a few players. Instead, it is built on a collective
team effort and a strong bench that ensures they remain a dominant force in
world cricket, regardless of individual absences.