India's Cricketing Triumphs and Controversies in 2025

The year 2025 was pivotal for Indian cricket, showcasing both triumphs and controversies. From the men's team's handshake incident with Pakistan to the women's historic World Cup win, India dominated the cricketing landscape. The men's team secured their second Champions Trophy title, while the women's team made a stunning comeback to claim their first ICC trophy. Shubman Gill emerged as a key player, and RCB finally won their maiden IPL title. However, the year was not without tragedy, as celebrations turned somber during a victory parade. Discover the highs and lows of Indian cricket in this comprehensive overview.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 29, 2025, 06:04 IST

A Year of Highs and Lows in Indian Cricket

In 2025, India found itself at the forefront of global cricket, marked by significant events ranging from the handshake incident between the men's teams of India and Pakistan to the historic victory of the Indian women's team in their first World Cup.

The year commenced with India clinching its second Champions Trophy title after a 12-year hiatus, making Rohit Sharma the second Indian captain, following Mahendra Singh Dhoni, to secure multiple ICC titles. The year concluded with the women's team achieving their first ICC trophy on home soil.

Despite facing three consecutive defeats in the league stage, the Indian women's team made a remarkable comeback, defeating the formidable Australian team in the semifinals and overcoming South Africa in the final. This iconic victory took place in Navi Mumbai on November 2, but it was the result of two years of meticulous planning.

The year also highlighted a troubling chapter in the rivalry between India and Pakistan. Following the India-Pakistan conflict, the Asia Cup saw Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav refusing to shake hands with his Pakistani counterpart during their group match, setting a contentious tone for subsequent encounters. India triumphed over Pakistan three times, including in the final, to secure the Asia Cup title in the UAE. The matches were marred by verbal altercations and provocative gestures, culminating in India declining to accept the trophy and medals from ACC president Mohsin Naqvi, who also holds positions as Pakistan’s interior minister and PCB chairman. After a prolonged delay, Naqvi reportedly departed with the trophy while the Indian team celebrated without the medals.

The year began with another controversy as India opted not to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy, resulting in all matches being held in the UAE. This marked a unique situation where the host team played outside its own country. The Men in Blue remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, with a standout performance from Virat Kohli, who scored a century against Pakistan in the group stage.

Additionally, Shubman Gill emerged as a prominent figure in Indian cricket, beginning his Test captaincy with a 2-2 series draw in England. He was appointed as India's ODI captain and returned to the T20 setup as vice-captain, although a slump in form led to his exclusion from the T20 World Cup squad.

Another highlight of the year was Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally winning their first IPL title after an 18-year wait, marking Virat Kohli's first championship after three previous finals with RCB. They defeated Punjab Kings, who were also in search of their inaugural title, in the final. However, the celebrations were overshadowed by a tragic stampede during RCB’s victory parade in Bengaluru, resulting in several fatalities.