5 PLAYERS WHO LED INDIA TO THE ICC CHAMPIONS TROPHY 2025 TITLE

Axar Patel may not have grabbed headlines like some of his teammates, but his contributions were invaluable. Throughout the tournament, he was India's go-to player whenever the team needed a stabilizing presence. His 29-run knock came...

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Winning a prestigious ICC tournament is never about individual brilliance alone—it takes a collective effort from key players to steer the team to glory. While every player in India's squad played their part in lifting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, narrowing the list to just five standout performers is incredibly difficult. However, some contributions were simply too impactful to overlook.

In a thrilling final against New Zealand, India successfully chased down 252 with six balls to spare despite a minor collapse after a strong opening stand. Axar Patel and Shreyas Iyer stabilized the innings before Ravindra Jadeja sealed the victory with a signature finish. Let's look at the five players who played a major role in India's path to glory.

1) AXAR PATEL: THE SILENT WARRIOR

Axar Patel may not have grabbed headlines like some of his teammates, but his contributions were invaluable. Throughout the tournament, he was India's go-to player whenever the team needed a stabilizing presence. His 29-run knock came at a critical juncture in the final, helping India recover from a mini-collapse. Over five innings, Axar scored 109 runs, frequently stepping up at No. 5 with composed innings that provided balance to the middle order. His ability to rotate the strike and find boundaries when needed made him a crucial asset. Additionally, he provided breakthroughs with the ball and controlled the run flow, finishing with 5 wickets in the tournament. His all-round performance was a defining factor in India's success.

2) SHREYAS IYER: THE CONSISTENT PERFORMER