I apologize for beginning with a somewhat negative perspective. The revival of the Champions Trophy is not a favorable decision.

The initial choice by the ICC to discontinue the tournament was commendable, as it recognized the diminishing appeal of 50-over cricket, even among fans of limited-overs formats. The question arises: why reintroduce the Champions Trophy when it was evident that 50-over cricket was failing to engage fans?

The primary reason lies in the 50-over World Cup. This tournament has effectively sustained interest in 50-over cricket, even as bilateral ODI matches have largely lost their significance.

However, it is important to note that it is not merely the 50-over format that attracted large crowds to India for the 2023 World Cup or to England in 2019; rather, it was the manner in which those World Cups unfolded. The format would likely not have endured had the tournaments in 2007 or 1999 been replicated in 2019 or 2023.

Another significant factor is the quadrennial nature of the World Cup; missing one means waiting another four years for the next opportunity.

By introducing an additional 50-over tournament between two highly anticipated World Cups, the allure of the 50-over World Cup is unlikely to diminish. Instead, the Champions Trophy may be overlooked, just as it was prior to its discontinuation.

Cricket enthusiasts are inundated with an overwhelming array of matches, leading them to selectively choose which events to engage with. It is unlikely that the Champions Trophy will be prioritized amidst the extensive offerings that include the 50-over World Cup, the T20 World Cup, the World Test Championship final, and the IPL.

Nonetheless, it is essential for Indian cricket to present its best efforts. This is a global event, and India has already made a strong impression with commendable performances against England recently.

England seemed to approach their matches in that series as if they were merely practicing in a net session. I earnestly hope that their performance in the Champions Trophy will reflect a different mindset. The sport cannot afford for England to underperform in a global tournament, especially given the limited number of teams that still engage vigorously in this format.

For India, the performances of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli remain a concern. Rohit did score a century in the series against England, but he altered his approach during that innings to alleviate the pressure he was under.

He adopted calculated risks with the primary goal of prolonging his stay at the crease. However, I maintain that a more aggressive batting style would be more beneficial for him and the team at this juncture.

Towards the end of his career, Vivian Richards made the strategic decision to move down the batting order, allowing the younger Ritchie Richardson to take the No. 3 spot, recognizing that Ritchie would contribute more at that stage of his career, given the advantages associated with batting in that position.

While Rohit and Virat may not be at their peak, players like Gill and Iyer certainly are. It would be unfortunate if they were not afforded sufficient time and opportunities to capitalize on their current form.

India would be a more formidable team in the Champions Trophy if Rohit and Virat transitioned into roles as facilitators rather than primary scorers.

The absence of Jasprit Bumrah will be felt, as he has consistently rescued the team in crucial matches over the past three years, often turning precarious situations into victories. Without the 'Bumrah blessing,' the remaining players will need to elevate their performances, both in batting and bowling.

This is why I do not place much value on all-rounders unless one of their skills is exceptional. A specialist like Bumrah provides essential support for both batting and bowling within the team.

Recall the final of the T20 World Cup? The batters fell short in setting a competitive total, yet Bumrah's performance turned it into a winning score.

Kuldeep Yadav has significantly increased his bowling speed, now consistently delivering balls above the 70 kph mark. Consequently, his effectiveness in taking wickets has diminished somewhat.

Varun Chakravarthy represents a strong choice, as he is known for his wicket-taking capabilities. I believe that having three bowlers in the playing eleven who can take wickets is essential for securing victories. As I previously noted, it is rare for teams to score 180 runs for 2 wickets in a full 50 overs; such a score typically occurs only when a team is all out.

While India's bowling attack is less formidable without Bumrah, it may still possess sufficient strength to compete against other teams globally.

Read Also: Arshdeep Singh replaces Harshit Rana as Jasprit Bumrah's substitute in Champions Trophy for Ricky Ponting

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