Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, two legends of Indian cricket and key players in the batting lineup, seem to be facing a bit of a rough patch lately. The buzz about their potential retirement has been swirling, especially after India lost six out of their last eight Tests against New Zealand and Australia at home. However, head coach Gautam Gambhir is confident that both Rohit and Kohli aren’t going anywhere just yet and will play a crucial role in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.

Gambhir emphasized that both players are still eager to perform and bring a lot of experience to the team, especially with a big tournament like the Champions Trophy on the horizon.

"I believe Rohit and Virat contribute immensely to the team environment. They are vital for Indian cricket and have a significant part to play in the Champions Trophy. I've mentioned it before: these guys are driven; they want to represent the country and make an impact," Gambhir shared with Star Sports during the Naman Awards, which honors the top achievers in Indian cricket.

After some regular matches against New Zealand and Australia, both Rohit and Kohli made their return to the Ranji Trophy after ten years. Unfortunately, they struggled to find their rhythm. Rohit scored 3 and 28 in the Mumbai vs J&K game, while Kohli was dismissed for just 6 in front of a large crowd during the Delhi vs Railways match.

However, the top scorers from India's last ODI World Cup are eager to bounce back in a format they've dominated for over a decade.

India finished as runners-up in the last ODI World Cup and the previous Champions Trophy. Although both tournaments are in the ODI format, Gambhir pointed out that they are quite different, especially since there's no margin for error in the Champions Trophy.

"The Champions Trophy presents a whole new level of challenge compared to the 50-over World Cup because every match is crucial. You can't afford to slip up in this tournament. We need to kick things off on a strong note because to win the competition, you have to come out on top in five games," he explained.

India will kick off their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20, but the highly anticipated match will be against Pakistan on February 23.

"We don’t approach the Champions Trophy thinking that the 23rd is the most critical game. Every match is vital. Our goal in Dubai is to win the Champions Trophy, not just one game. But if that game is part of our journey to winning the trophy, we’ll treat it with the seriousness it deserves. When India and Pakistan face off, the emotions run high, but at the end of the day, it’s still about the game," Gambhir added.

Read Also: Sachin Tendulkar Remembers His Retirement Day: 'Dhoni Told Me to Stay Away for a Surprise

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