Rohit Sharma and his team are set to commence their ICC Men's Champions Trophy journey against Bangladesh on February 20 at the Dubai International Stadium. As the prestigious tournament approaches, concerns linger regarding the performance of senior batsmen Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Nevertheless, former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina expresses confidence that both players will excel in the Champions Trophy, given that 50-over cricket is their favored format.

The pair struggled to meet expectations during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia and also underperformed upon their return to the Ranji Trophy.

There is hope that a shift in format may lead to improved performances. In the most recent ODI series India played against Sri Lanka in August 2024, Rohit was the standout performer, while Virat Kohli faced significant challenges against spin bowlers.

Suresh Raina is of the opinion that Rohit Sharma will maintain an aggressive style of play at the top of the order, as this approach proved effective in setting the pace during the home 2023 ODI World Cup, where India finished as runners-up.

“I believe Rohit should continue to play aggressively. His batting in the ODI World Cup was commendable—he remained attacking even in the final. Therefore, I expect his strategy to stay consistent. The crucial question is who will partner with him at the top—will it be Shubman? I recall that whenever they bat together, they exhibit a shared aggressive intent,” Suresh Raina stated on Star Sports.

Raina further posits that Rohit Sharma will have additional motivation in the Champions Trophy, as he is on the verge of making history. Should Rohit secure victory in the eight-team tournament, he would become the only Indian player to have won four ICC tournaments as a player.

Both MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma have achieved the distinction of winning three ICC tournaments as players.

Suresh Raina remarked, "Rohit Sharma is an aggressive captain. His ability to manage his bowlers is impressive, particularly his decision to introduce Mohammad Shami at pivotal moments and his strategic use of spinners. Rohit's performance with the bat positively influences his leadership on the field."

He further noted, "This may be his final ICC trophy as captain, and should he succeed, he would become the first Indian player to secure four ICC trophies. Having already claimed the T20 World Cup, winning the Champions Trophy would be an extraordinary accomplishment. His motivation to achieve this is evident, but it will be essential for him to contribute runs."

Rohit and Virat complement each other

During the 2023 ODI World Cup, Virat Kohli eclipsed Sachin Tendulkar's record for the most centuries in the 50-over format. While Rohit Sharma exhibited an aggressive style of play, Kohli served as the stabilizing presence in the No. 3 batting position.

Raina opines that both Kohli and Sharma effectively complement one another, positioning India favorably for future matches.

“In the realm of white-ball cricket, Virat possesses the ability to adapt his intensity as needed. He has amassed the highest number of runs against England, which will undoubtedly elevate his performance. The three ODIs are scheduled to take place in Nagpur, Ahmedabad, and Cuttack, all of which are known for their high-scoring potential,” Raina remarked.

“Rohit Sharma's strike rate has seen a notable enhancement since the conclusion of the ODI World Cup 2023, with his scoring rate now hovering around 119-120, establishing him as one of India's premier ODI batsmen. For both Rohit and Virat, a strong history of performance instills considerable confidence. They work well together and possess the capability to accumulate substantial runs,” he further stated.

Prior to the Champions Trophy, India is set to face England in a series of three ODIs at home, commencing on February 6 in Nagpur.

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