
(Source: Reuters)
India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir has expressed confidence that senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will play pivotal roles in the 2025 Champions Trophy, despite their recent struggles.
Both players have faced challenges since the New Zealand Test series and have had underwhelming performances in the Ranji Trophy. However, Gambhir remains optimistic, emphasizing that their experience, passion, and hunger to perform will be vital for the team’s success. He also highlighted the duo’s leadership and value in the dressing room, believing their contributions will be crucial to India’s chances in the tournament.
Gautam Gambhir on Virat and Rohit:
“I think both Rohit and Virat, they add so much value to the dressing room. They add so much value to Indian cricket as well. They’ve got to play a massive role (in the Champions Trophy). And I’ve said it before as well, those guys are so hungry, they want to play for the country. They have the passion to play for the country and deliver for the country,” said Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir stressed that India must maintain relentless focus throughout the eight-team Champions Trophy, noting that with its compact format, every match is a high-stakes, do-or-die scenario—unlike the more extended ODI World Cup.
“Champions Trophy is a completely different challenge as compared to the 50-over World Cup because literally every game is a make-or-break, so you can’t stop anywhere in this tournament. So hopefully we’re going to start off really well, because ultimately, if you want to go on and win the competition, you have to win five games,” Gambhir added.
When asked about the highly anticipated clash with arch-rivals Pakistan on February 23, Gautam Gambhir downplayed the hype surrounding the match. The 43-year-old emphasized that the team is treating every game with equal importance, stressing that the ultimate goal is to win the Champions Trophy, not focus on any single encounter.
Also Read: ICC Champions Trophy Winners List (1998-2017)
“Champions Trophy is a completely different challenge as compared to the 50-over World Cup because literally every game is a make-or-break, so you can’t stop anywhere in this tournament. So hopefully we’re going to start off really well, because ultimately, if you want to go on and win the competition, you have to win five games,” Gambhir added.
Gautam Gambhir was also questioned about the much-anticipated February 23 clash against arch-rivals Pakistan. The 43-year-old played down the buildup, stating that the team is approaching every match with equal importance, with the primary focus being on winning the Champions Trophy, rather than any one specific game.
“Look, we don’t go to the Champions Trophy thinking that the 23rd is the most important game for us. I think five games, all the games are important. The mission to go to Dubai is to win the Champions Trophy, not only win one particular game. But yes, if that is one game in the middle of winning the Champions Trophy, we’re going to try and take it as seriously as possible. And more importantly, I think when two countries, India and Pakistan, play against each other, obviously the emotions are really high, but ultimately the contest remains the same,” Gambhir concluded.