India's commanding position in the world of cricket has been lauded by former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee, who stated, "They run cricket and so they should". This declaration comes amidst a period of significant success for the Indian cricket team across various formats, cementing their status as a dominant force in the sport.
India's dominance in white-ball cricket is particularly noteworthy. The team has consistently held top positions in both One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). This supremacy was further highlighted by their victory in the 2025 Champions Trophy, where they remained unbeaten throughout the tournament. This win marked their second consecutive ICC trophy, reinforcing their reputation as a formidable white-ball team.
The team's success in the Champions Trophy was not without its share of controversy. Due to security concerns, India refused to travel to Pakistan, the original host nation. This led to a hybrid model where India played all their matches in Dubai, while the other games were held in Pakistan. Some critics argued that this arrangement gave India an unfair advantage, but statistics reveal India's dominance extends across various conditions and locations. Since the beginning of 2020, India boasts the highest win/loss ratio in ODIs, demonstrating their sustained excellence.
India's success can be attributed to a combination of factors. A formidable batting lineup, featuring Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and others, provides a blend of aggression and stability. The team's bowling attack is equally impressive, adapting effectively to different conditions. Since Rohit Sharma took over as full-time captain in February 2022, India's scoring rate and average per wicket in the powerplay overs have surpassed those of other leading teams.
While India shines in white-ball cricket, they have faced challenges in the Test arena. In the latest ICC rankings, India slipped to fourth place in Tests, while Australia secured the top spot. A recent series loss to New Zealand raised concerns about the team's performance in challenging conditions. Brett Lee suggested that Indian batsmen may have been overly aggressive in those matches and needed to adjust their approach. He also advised Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to take a break to mentally reset before facing Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Despite these setbacks, India remains a force to be reckoned with in Test cricket. Brett Lee has praised Virat Kohli's "Australian mentality," noting his aggressive and never-say-die attitude. India is gearing up to face Australia in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and Lee expects Kohli to be eager to perform well.
In women's cricket, the Indian team is also making strides. At the Women's World Cup 2025, Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal showcased their batting prowess with record-breaking centuries against New Zealand. Mandhana's exceptional form in 2025 has made her the highest run-scorer in women's ODIs for the year, surpassing legends like Meg Lanning and Mithali Raj.
However, amidst the on-field achievements, off-field issues sometimes cast a shadow. The India-Pakistan match in the World Championships of Legends was cancelled due to security concerns and reluctance from Indian players following a terror attack. Brett Lee maintained a neutral stance, emphasizing his love for both countries and hoping for improved relations.
