IND vs NZ: Rohit Sharma Heroics Put Bowlers Under Pressure, Says Mitchell Santner
Dubai: New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner was full of praise for Rohit Sharma Champions Trophy 2025 match-winner, acknowledging that his fearless batting approach puts fear in bowlers and can single-handedly change the course of a game.
Speaking after India’s thrilling 4-wicket win over New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final, Santner admitted that Rohit’s fearless stroke play in the powerplay made the difference, setting the foundation for India’s third Champions Trophy title.
“Rohit Sharma innings put fear in bowlers. The way he goes about his game, he can completely turn a match in his team’s favor. We were on the back foot early because of how he played,” Santner said at the post-match press conference.
Rohit’s match-winning 76 off 56 balls helped India chase down 252, and his intent from the first ball ensured New Zealand was always under pressure.
Rohit Sharma: A Captain Who Leads by Example
Rohit Sharma Champions Trophy 2025 final performance was a reflection of his aggressive transformation over the last two years. His ultra-attacking approach has now delivered two consecutive ICC titles—the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy.
According to Santner, Rohit Sharma mindset in big games is what makes him special.
“If you asked Rohit Sharma Champions Trophy 2025 winner before the tournament which game he’d like to score the most runs in, he’d probably say the final,” Santner remarked.
The New Zealand skipper highlighted how Rohit Sharma batting style is high-risk, high-reward, but when it works, it completely shifts the momentum.
“You might fail a few times, but like he did today, if you can really get your team off to a flyer, especially on a slow wicket, you put yourself ahead of the game,” Santner explained.
Perfect Pairing: Rohit Sharma & Shubman Gill
Santner also pointed out how Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill complement each other perfectly as an opening pair.
✔ Gill is more measured, waiting for bad balls to capitalize on.
✔ Rohit disrupts bowlers, stepping out, attacking their lengths, and refusing to let them settle.
“I think him and Shubman dovetail well. Shubman waits for a bad ball, but Rohit Sharma Champions Trophy 2025 hero is happy to hit bowlers off their lengths,” Santner added.
This combination helped India race to 100/0 in no time, immediately putting New Zealand on the back foot.
“Their powerplay with the bat was good, and suddenly we found ourselves playing catch-up,” Santner admitted.
New Zealand Fell Short by 20 Runs, Admits Santner
Despite putting up 251/7 on the board, Santner felt that New Zealand was about 20 runs short—and Rohit Sharma winner made them pay for it.
“We were in the game for most of it, but maybe we left 20 runs out there with the bat. The way Rohit Sharma Champions Trophy 2025-winning captain played kind of took it away from us,” Santner reflected.
New Zealand had their moments in the match, but Rohit Sharma Champions Trophy 2025 early onslaught ensured that India never let the game slip out of control.
The Kiwi skipper, however, remained proud of his team’s performance throughout the tournament.
“It’s bittersweet. We challenged them at times, which was pleasing. In the end, we came up against a very good team,” Santner said.
Rohit Sharma: The Aggressive Opener
Rohit Sharma transformation into an attacking ODI opener has been a game-changer since the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Rather than starting slow and accelerating later, Rohit Sharma batting style ensures that:
✅ The opposition bowlers don’t settle into a rhythm.
✅ The team gets ahead in the powerplay, making run chases easier.
✅ India controls the tempo of the game from the beginning.
This strategy was evident in the Champions Trophy final, where Rohit Sharma Champions Trophy 2025 fearless intent ensured India never felt the pressure of chasing 252.
His 76 off 56 came at a strike rate of 135, forcing New Zealand to rethink their plans constantly.
Player of the Match: Rohit Sharma Champions Trophy 2025 Clutch Performance
For his match-winning innings, Rohit Sharma Champions Trophy 2025 winner was deservedly awarded Player of the Match.
This was yet another proof that in big tournaments, Rohit Sharma Champions Trophy 2025 thrives when it matters most.
His recent record in ICC knockout games speaks for itself:
🏆 2023 ODI World Cup Final – 47 off 31 (set the tone in a big chase)
🏆 2024 T20 World Cup Final – 92 off 53 (match-winning knock)
🏆 2025 Champions Trophy Final – 76 off 56 (game-defining innings)
When the pressure is at its peak, Rohit Sharma Champions Trophy 2025 delivers.
Rohit Sharma – The Game Changer
Santner’s comments reflect a larger truth—Rohit Sharma Champions Trophy 2025 winner has revolutionized India’s ODI batting approach.
✔ Fearless, attacking, and dominant—his powerplay hitting puts opponents on the defensive early.
✔ His captaincy has delivered back-to-back ICC trophies, proving he’s not just an elite batter but also a leader who rises to the occasion.
✔ His partnership with Gill is India’s best opening combination since Sachin-Sehwag and Rohit-Dhawan.
With two ICC trophies in two years, Rohit Sharma Champions Trophy 2025 winner is writing his own legacy as one of the greatest white-ball cricketers India has ever seen.
And as Mitchell Santner admitted—when Rohit Sharma Champions Trophy 2025 hero is in form, he puts fear into bowlers and can single-handedly win matches.
For New Zealand, it was another heartbreak. For India, it was another title. For Rohit Sharma Champions Trophy 2025 winner, it was just another day of being a champion. 🏆🔥
