We learned from past defeats in ICC events: Virat Kohli

India's triumph in the ICC Champions Trophy final on Sunday, their second major ICC title in less than a year following the T20 World Cup victory, has been a testament to the team's resilience and unity, feels star batter Virat Kohli.

Reflecting on the achievement, Kohli emphasised the importance of learning from past setbacks in ICC knockout games. He highlighted that the team's collective effort, with different players stepping up at crucial moments, has been pivotal in clinching the title.

Kohli also expressed pride in the team's depth and potential, asserting that the current squad is poised to dominate world cricket for the next eight years. He praised emerging talents like Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer for their outstanding performances, underscoring the bright future of Indian cricket.

Additionally, Kohli's personal milestones, such as becoming the fastest to reach 14,000 ODI runs and surpassing Mohammad Azharuddin's record for the most outfield catches by an Indian player, have further solidified his legendary status in the sport.

"It's been a long time since we've had a Champions Trophy, and the format is really good. This was our aim. After a tough tour of Australia, we came here and won a big tournament, which has once again boosted our confidence as a team," Kohli told the tournament's host broadcaster.

"Throughout the tournament, different players stepped up in different matches. There were moments in past tournaments where we weren't able to finish games or capitalise on crucial situations. But this time, we learned from those experiences."

The experience of captain Rohit Sharma and K.L. Rahul towards the end got India over the line in the final against New Zealand, he felt. "That's why you back experienced players — they have faced these moments before, and when you apply those learnings and work hard, you get a chance to turn things around," Kohli said.

"The way KL finished in the last two matches is a testament to that experience. When you've been in those situations before and couldn't cross the line, there's always a desire to get another opportunity and overcome it. And that's exactly what we did."

Advancing unbeaten to the Champions Trophy final, India looked by far the best team in the combination. They picked as many as five spinners, which worked well for them on the slow wickets of Dubai. In the playing eleven on Sunday too, India had four spin options.

"One thing we kept emphasising throughout the tournament was focusing on our skills — how good we are, not how good the opposition is. Despite all the challenges, this is why you play the game — for these big tournaments.

"Winning four ICC titles is truly a blessing, and I consider myself very lucky to have played for so long and achieved this," said Kohli, who was also part of the victorious 2011 ODI World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy squads.

However, it was a total team effort from Rohit Sharma's men over the course of their campaign in the UAE.

The victory not only reflects the team's growth but also their ability to adapt and overcome challenges, setting a strong foundation for future successes.

With PTI inputs