India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has expressed confidence in the leadership and experience of veteran cricketers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, despite their recent struggles in form. He said that both players still have a significant role to play in India’s upcoming Champions Trophy campaign.
Rohit and Virat were part of the Indian Test team that faced a crushing 3-0 loss to New Zealand at home, followed by a 3-1 defeat in Australia, which ended India’s decade-long reign over the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
In the aftermath of these setbacks, both players returned to domestic cricket to work on regaining their best form.
Gambhir highlighted their importance beyond just their recent performances, saying, “Both Rohit and Virat bring immense value to the dressing room and to Indian cricket. They are crucial for the Champions Trophy and are hungry to deliver for the country.”
India is placed in Group A of the Champions Trophy, where they will face Bangladesh in Dubai on February 20, followed by a high-stakes match against Pakistan on February 23, and concluding their group stage with a clash against New Zealand.
Gambhir stressed the significance of consistency, pointing out the high-stakes nature of the Champions Trophy compared to the 50-over World Cup.
“Every match in this tournament is make-or-break. You can’t afford to take your foot off the gas,” he said.
He also highlighted the broader goal for the tournament, noting that all five group matches are equally important. “Our mission is to win the Champions Trophy, not just one particular game,” he concluded.