Champions Trophy 2025-Gambhir's Confidence in Rohit and Kohli's Crucial Roles

As the 2025 Champions Trophy approaches, set to kick off on February 19 in Pakistan and the UAE, all eyes are on India’s seasoned players, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Despite their recent struggles with the bat, former cricketer and current Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir remains confident that the duo will play vital roles in India's success during the prestigious tournament. Gambhir, known for his no-nonsense approach, has emphasized the hunger and passion these two players bring to the team, qualities that could prove crucial for India's chances in the Champions Trophy.

Recent performances of both Kohli and Rohit have been severely criticized after their poor show in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test series in Australia. After India's unsatisfactory tour Down Under, Kohli and Rohit further continued their poor form in domestic cricket, as both showed a disappointing performance in the Ranji Trophy. This lack of form raised concerns over their place in the national team, more so ahead of an important global tournament like the Champions Trophy. But Gambhir remains unfazed by their recent setbacks, stressing that both players possess an unwavering commitment to Indian cricket and the drive to bounce back.

In a statement as part of the BCCI annual awards, Gambhir stated that hunger for success in Rohit and Kohli was something which cannot be ignored and the value to the team was at its peak. He said the duo were dress room essentials and are significant contribution makers both on the field and off. Gambhir believes that they will play "massive roles" in India's campaign at the Champions Trophy. According to him, the passion of these players to represent their country will be the key to India's quest for glory in 2025.

Kohli and Rohit have already announced their retirement from T20 internationals, focusing on their careers in the longer formats of the game. Even though they have struggled recently, experience and leadership from them are extremely important to the team, particularly in an ODI format such as the Champions Trophy. Their last chance for getting back to form before the tournament starts is the ODI series against England. Gambhir considers this series to be an ideal opportunity for both teams to rid themselves of rust and polish up their skills in preparation for the Champions Trophy, where pressure would be sky high.

One thing that is very different about the Champions Trophy is its short format, making each match of the utmost importance. Unlike the 50-over World Cup, teams being able to have more games before qualifying, it is only three group-stage games in this Champions Trophy. Thus, every game becomes a do-or-die encounter and Gambhir claims that Team India cannot even afford to relax at any given situation. With knockout rounds to follow the league stages, India will have to win five games to lift the trophy-including the two of-the-moment knockout games. "We can't afford to take our foot off the gas. Each game is a must-win," Gambhir said of the Champions Trophy, tanning with stakes. India will face stiff competition from strong teams like Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, all of whom are part of Group A, alongside India. The Men in Blue will begin their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20, and all their matches will be played in Dubai, adding an additional layer of complexity with the challenges of playing in foreign conditions.

Gambhir also mentioned that the team needs to begin the tournament well. A good start will be a great confidence booster and help the team carry momentum into the knockout stages. "If you want to win the competition, you have to win five games," he stressed. With the level of competition, Gambhir's message to the players is clear: perform consistently and rise to the occasion.

The whole focus of Team India will undoubtedly lie on the duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as the Champions Trophy approaches. With the heavy criticism lately, the vast experience of the two and their hunger for success can make all the difference for India in the hunt for another ICC title. Gambhir is confident about the team's strength, reminding us of the contribution these two bring to the side, and it will be exciting to see how they respond in the upcoming tournament. The Champions Trophy road is not easy, but with Kohli and Rohit in the side, India remains one of the top contenders for the trophy.