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India’s captain Rohit Sharma is set to lead the Men in Blue in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, and former Indian batter Suresh Raina believes this could be his final ICC tournament as skipper. With an illustrious career behind him, Rohit will be eager to add another ICC trophy to his name and cement his legacy.
Rohit and Virat Kohli, two of India’s most dependable batters in the ODI format, return to the 50-over setup after dominating the ICC World Cup 2023 as the top two run-getters. However, both players have had a rough patch in Test cricket recently. Despite that, Raina feels their experience and skill will be crucial in India’s pursuit of the Champions Trophy.
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“Rohit and Virat Will Be Key” – Raina
Speaking to Star Sports, Raina emphasized the importance of Rohit and Virat in India’s Champions Trophy campaign.
“Rohit Sharma’s strike rate has improved significantly after the ODI World Cup in 2023. Since then, he has been scoring runs at a strike rate of 119-120, making him one of India’s best ODI batsmen,” Raina said.
“For both Rohit and Virat, their past performances give them confidence. They complement each other well and have the ability to score big runs. If they perform at their best, India’s Champions Trophy campaign will get a major boost,” he added.
India is placed in Group A alongside Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Pakistan. The team will face Bangladesh on February 20, Pakistan on February 23, and New Zealand on March 2, with all their matches scheduled to be held in Dubai.
Spin Attack and Team Combination Crucial for India
Discussing India’s spin options, Raina highlighted the importance of Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel.
“I think Jadeja will definitely play because of his effectiveness in ODIs. Kuldeep has not played a match since his injury, but we also have Axar Patel, who has been consistently performing well,” he noted.
“The pitches in Dubai will offer some seam movement, but spinners will also play a big role. That’s why Kuldeep, Axar, and Jadeja need to be in top form. Rohit’s choice of team combination will be crucial.”
England ODI Series: A Crucial Preparation
Before heading to the Champions Trophy, India will face England in a three-match ODI series at home. Raina believes this series will be a great opportunity for Rohit and Kohli to gain much-needed match practice.
“When it comes to white-ball cricket, Virat knows how to switch on and switch off. He has scored the most runs against England, so his energy will be at a different level automatically. The ODIs in Nagpur, Ahmedabad, and Cuttack will be high-scoring encounters, which will help both him and Rohit get into form,” Raina said.
He also spoke about Rohit’s attacking approach, which proved successful in the 2023 ODI World Cup.
“I think Rohit should continue playing aggressively. You saw how he batted in the World Cup—he was attacking even in the final. So, I believe his approach will remain the same. The key question is who will open alongside him—will it be Shubman Gill? Whenever they play together, they maintain an aggressive intent,” Raina added.
A Legacy-Defining Tournament for Rohit Sharma
Raina praised Rohit’s leadership and his ability to make strategic decisions on the field.
“Rohit Sharma is an attacking captain. The way he utilizes his bowlers is commendable—bringing in Mohammad Shami at crucial moments and relying on spinners strategically. When Rohit scores runs, it also reflects in his captaincy,” Raina said.
“This could be his last ICC trophy as captain, and if he wins, he will become the first Indian player to win four ICC trophies. He has already won the T20 World Cup, and securing the Champions Trophy would be a remarkable achievement. He will be motivated to make it happen, but scoring runs will be crucial for him,” Raina concluded.
As India gears up for the Champions Trophy 2025, all eyes will be on Rohit Sharma and his team as they aim to bring home yet another ICC title.
