Their pre-tournament decision to fill the squad with five spinners drew a lot of flak from all corners, but it is now proving to be a masterstroke on the slow pitches in Dubai.
The common theme in those defeats was how the seemingly powerful batting and bowling units of KKR and RR failed to fire.
Virat Kohli top-scored with a fluent 84 as India overpowered Australia by five wickets to storm into the ICC Champions Trophy final, in Dubai, on Tuesday.
While coming at No. 5, Rahul's role as a batsman is not easy - he either has very few overs to make an impact after a top-order mayhem or he has to consolidate after a top-order malfunction.
Rohit went past Tendulkar, Dravid, Gayle during his knock.
It may be a matter of celebration in the Indian dressing room but there is something that has not gone down too well with cricket fans.
Love isn't just in the air; it's in every snap.
Statistically, Khaleel Ahmed ranks among the finest bowlers in the IPL since 2019, his first full-fledged season. With a wicket every 16.5 balls, he is as good as Jasprit Bumrah and bowlers with the best strike rates.
The Royals batting looks decent but there is the issue of consistency and lack of depth that could be telling as the tournament wears on.
The upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is likely to see bowlers playing a crucial role in the success of teams.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI against New Zealand in Sunday's final?
Images from the IPL 2025 match between Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad in Visakhapatnam on Sunday.
The focus will be on K L Rahul's form and fitness when he returns after a quadriceps injury lay-off to lead Lucknow Super Giants in their IPL 2024 opener against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur on Sunday.
Rajasthan Royals' 14-year-old opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi created history as he became the youngest ever to hit a century in the IPL.
Former India batter Ajay Jadeja defended head coach Gautam Gambhir from the criticism he has received following the 0-3 drubbing against New Zealand.
Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar has defended Rohit Sharma from speculation about his retirement, saying it is "unwarranted."
While Sachin Tendulkar's 2013 farewell became a national pilgrimage, a vibrant celebration befitting a cricketing deity, the exits of many other Indian icons this century have been quieter journeys into the twilight.
Security beefed up for Kohli's Ranji comeback
Along with his ability to adapt, the high release point makes Hazlewood a tricky customer to deal with on any kind of surface, as it allows him to find that disconcerting extra bounce.
GT vaulted to the top of the table with 16 points, while MI now find themselves in must-win territory in their remaining games.
Rohit's numbers with the willow has been a bit underwhelming during the five home Tests but those were played on difficult tracks.
Purnendu Maji and Srinivas Bhogle present Rediff's Most Valuable Player Index of IPL 2025 after Game 55.
K L Rahul has been ruled out of after failing to recover from injury to his right quadriceps
Congress supporters celebrate the Supreme Court's interim order to stay Rahul Gandhi's conviction in a 2019 criminal defamation case.
'The stakes are too high and it would have been a complete embarrassment had Bumrah broken down in a match.'
In a big blow to the Indian team, the hosts will miss Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul for the second Test against England.
'Good leaders emerge when they show resolve for a scrap.'
The Indian government has established two expert committees aimed at elevating the country's sports performance.
The selectors announced India's teams for the tour of South Africa.
Mohammed Siraj's inspired spell powered Gujarat Titans to an emphatic eight-wicket win against his former team Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Out-of-form skipper Rohit Sharma's batting position will be in focus against a dangerous Australia
Even shadow Purple Cup winner Prasidh couldn't escape Vaibhav's onslaught on Monday night!
Narine stars as KKR keep playoff hopes alive with 14-run win over DC
Kohli's farewell came during a turbulent Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, a place once synonymous with his rise.
With his repertoire of shots, he reeled away five fours and a whopping eight maximums while striking at 232.35.
After a disappointing 2024 season, the senior Asian Championships will provide an opportunity for Indian wrestlers like Antim Panghal and Deepak Punia to make a fresh start.
Gautam Gambhir, Rohit Sharma ignore each other on match eve
Cricket lovers across the globe flooded social media to celebrate the Indian cricket team and congratulate the Rohit Sharma-led squad on winning the ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai on Sunday, March 9.
Gujarat Titans (GT) defeated Mumbai Indians (MI) by three wickets under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method in a dramatic Indian Premier League match at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on Tuesday.
