After a 12-year hiatus, India is now experiencing a surge of ICC titles. Additionally, it seems that ICC tournaments are becoming a regular occurrence, with one being held annually, leading to the establishment of a yearly world champion in cricket.

India's performance in the recent Champions Trophy was commendable. Meeting high expectations is no small feat; as the favourites, they successfully clinched the title as anticipated.

However, the victory in the Champions Trophy will not be celebrated with parades or throngs of fans in the streets, as it is not a World Cup, which occurs once every four years.

Regarding 50-over cricket, after observing the Champions Trophy, I have reached the following conclusion:

The 50-over format tends to promote mediocrity. It is the aspect of the sport that one would least want to endorse or highlight. Out-of-form batters, eager for international runs, often turn to ODIs as a refuge. For struggling players, it serves as a much-needed reprieve.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli struggled with their form in Test matches against New Zealand at home and later in Australia, yet just days later, they appeared to regain their form on the international stage.

To illustrate, Rohit Sharma scored an ODI century against England at home, suggesting that he could still achieve significant runs if he desired. However, he soon reverted to providing entertaining cameos at the top of the order.

This is the nature of one-day cricket. If you are a competent batter positioned correctly, you are likely to accumulate runs. One-day cricket does not challenge your defensive skills as Test cricket does, nor does it assess your ability to score at a strike rate of 180 under pressure.

I am curious whether the selectors, who are former cricketers themselves, take all these factors into account when choosing the Indian team for the upcoming tour of England in July. Although this event is still a few months away, it represents a significant challenge for Indian cricket following the disappointing five-Test series in Australia.

Believing that Virat and Rohit have regained their form after the Champions Trophy would be akin to the perspective of their most ardent fans. Success in one-day cricket does not necessarily resolve the issues that hindered their performance in Test matches. One-day form merely indicates proficiency in that format, without implying competence in Tests or T20s.

Selecting both Rohit and Virat solely based on their recent performances in the Champions Trophy would be naive. There is insufficient evidence to suggest that they have addressed their shortcomings in Test matches.

If you choose to include them, it should be done with a degree of scepticism, with the hope that they might surprise us positively at this advanced stage of their careers.

I hold a more optimistic view of Virat compared to Rohit, primarily because, in the realm of Test cricket, Rohit does not match Virat's calibre.

Furthermore, Virat demonstrates a greater commitment to preparation, maximizing his chances for success. He diligently works to manage the aspects within his control, yet his longstanding vulnerability outside the off-stump remains a challenge beyond his influence.

The upcoming tour to England will be the most crucial of Virat's career, as it will ultimately shape the legacy he leaves behind.

Currently, Virat's Test batting average stands at 46, which does not reflect the mark of a truly great batsman.

Virat would likely prefer not to be remembered solely as an exceptional one-day cricketer, as one-day cricket is often viewed as the least representative of true batting skill. 

By batting in an optimal position, Tendulkar was able to accumulate runs in ODIs, but his legacy is solidified by his remarkable achievement of 51 Test centuries. 

Although Test cricket may not resonate as strongly with modern fans, it is within this format that cricketers earn their status as legends, and it is here that Virat has faced challenges. 

Following his extraordinary performances in Australia in 2015 and England in 2018, his persistent vulnerability outside off-stump, which he has struggled to overcome for nearly 12 years, has hindered his pursuit of greatness. While he remains a significant figure in Indian cricket, comparable to Tendulkar during his career, there is now a noticeable disparity in their levels of greatness.

Recently, Steve Smith announced his retirement from one-day cricket after scoring an impressive 73 runs. Smith is focused on accumulating runs in Test matches, where he boasts an average of 56, which is 10 runs higher than that of his contemporary, Virat. It seems he aims to elevate his average to 60 and is determined to eliminate any obstacles in his path to achieving this goal. His ambition is rooted in a desire for all-time greatness, reflecting a purely cricketing aspiration.

In Australia, it is generally easier to maintain focus on such objectives. In India, however, the pursuit of becoming a prominent brand can often serve as a significant distraction, and for some, even a source of motivation.

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