As the ICC Champions Trophy approaches, all eyes are on Indian stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who are expected to spearhead India’s campaign. With questions raised over their form in recent months, cricketing legends and former players have backed the duo to deliver when it matters the most. Rohit’s recent century against England has further fueled optimism about India’s prospects in the marquee tournament.
Ravindra Jadeja hailed Rohit Sharma’s stunning century in the second ODI against England as a major confidence booster ahead of the Champions Trophy. Rohit silenced his critics with a breathtaking knock of 119 off 90 balls, steering India to a four-wicket win and securing a 2-0 series lead. His innings, laced with 12 fours and seven sixes, demonstrated his ability to anchor a chase under pressure.
ALSO READ
Jadeja, speaking after the match, emphasized how crucial Rohit’s form is for India’s campaign in the upcoming tournament. “He knows how to play his innings. It didn’t feel like he was struggling earlier. His shots were smooth, and his confidence was visible. A hundred before a big tournament is always a good sign for both the player and the team,” he said.
Former Indian captain Mohammed Azharuddin also expressed his delight over Rohit’s resurgence. “I am happy he is back in form. I did not watch the game, but I heard he played brilliantly. If he continues like this in the Champions Trophy, I have no doubt India will do well,” he remarked.
Rohit had endured a tough Test season, managing only 164 runs in 15 innings at an average of 10.93. However, his ODI form has been exceptional since 2023, amassing 1,533 runs in 31 innings at an average of 52.86, with three centuries and 11 fifties. His ability to dominate the powerplay with controlled aggression has made him a key asset in India’s batting lineup.
Former cricketer Atul Wassan strongly believes that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be the driving force behind India’s Champions Trophy campaign. “I have always said that Rohit and Virat will win us the Champions Trophy. There’s no need to worry about Virat’s form—he is saving his runs for when the team needs them the most,” Wassan stated.
Virat was sidelined in the first ODI due to a knee issue but returned for the second match. However, his stay at the crease was cut short after a sublime on-drive, as Adil Rashid outfoxed him with a well-flighted delivery. Despite this, Wassan remains confident that Kohli will rise to the occasion in high-stakes matches.
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh sees the Champions Trophy as the perfect stage for Rohit and Virat to reaffirm their dominance. “They haven’t scored as many runs as expected recently, and with young players waiting for their opportunities, they need to step up. I still believe they have plenty of cricket left in them, and they are fully capable of winning matches for India,” Harbhajan said.
Harbhajan also pointed out that India’s familiarity with Dubai’s pitches could give them an edge, particularly in the high-voltage clash against Pakistan on February 23. “The team that adapts better to the conditions will have an advantage. India has played a lot of cricket in Dubai, and I believe we have a stronger team than Pakistan,” he added.
India will begin their Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai. The highly anticipated India-Pakistan encounter is set for February 23, followed by a clash against New Zealand on March 2.
Group A comprises India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand, while Group B features Australia, England, South Africa, and Afghanistan. The tournament, spanning from February 19 to March 9, will be played across Pakistan and Dubai, with 15 matches determining the new champion.
Want to know where to watch ICC Champions trophy, follow the live cricket streaming page to follow all the apps and channels broadcasting the tournament live.
The India Squad for Champions Trophy:
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja.
India’s Group Stage Fixtures:
- February 20 – India vs Bangladesh, Dubai
- February 23 – India vs Pakistan, Dubai
- March 2 – India vs New Zealand, Dubai
Get every cricket update! Follow us on
