Mumbai: As Team India entered the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with a dominating win against Australia, political leaders from both sides of the spectrum wished them congratulations. Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed, who had earlier attracted controversy by labelling Indian captain Rohit Sharma as “unfit” and “overweight,” was also celebrating India’s victory. Her congratulatory message was, however, specifically aimed at Virat Kohli instead of the skipper who took the team to the final.
After India’s semi-final win, Shama Mohamed wrote on social media congratulating the team. She particularly praised Virat Kohli for his vital 84-run innings and for being the first player to have achieved 1,000 runs in ICC knockout competitions. She did not make any reference to Rohit Sharma in her post.
Mohamed had previously been criticised for her comments on Rohit Sharma, calling him “India’s most ineffective captain.” The issue led the Congress party to ask her to remove her comment, while the BJP vehemently condemned the comments, accusing the Congress of constantly undermining India’s sporting heroes. Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also criticised such comments, stating that they demean the efforts and sacrifices of players who represent the country.
At the same time, BJP leaders and other political leaders were spotted celebrating India’s triumph with great enthusiasm. Union Home Minister Amit Shah appreciated the team’s “exceptional display of skill and determination,” praising their dominant performance on the way to the final. He congratulated the team through social media, saying, “An incredible show of skill and resilience! Team India storms into the final with a commanding performance.”. Congratulations to the boys for this nail-biting semi-final win in the ICC Champions Trophy. You have surely made the nation proud. Wish you luck in the final!
“Even Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath appreciated the team, having said, “Heartfelt congratulations to the Indian cricket team on beating Australia in the Champions Trophy semi-final and bringing happiness and pride to 1.4 billion Indians! Best wishes for the final game!”
Congress MP Pramod Tiwari was in the same vein, commenting that India’s victory over Australia was a vindication of earlier losses. “Australia’s loss in the semi-final and India’s thrilling victory remind us of earlier heartbreaks. We all wish that this time we will win the final.” As political leaders from all sides of the party came together to sing praises of Team India, everyone now focuses on the final as the country wishes to have another historical victory on the international cricket arena.