Both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, according to India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir, will have “massive roles” to play for the squad in the next Champions Trophy. Despite their recent bad performance, Gambhir stated that both players still have “so much value” to contribute.
“I believe that Virat and Rohit both greatly enhance the dressing room. They also greatly enhance Indian cricket. At the BCCI annual awards on Saturday in Mumbai, Gambhir stated, “They have to play a huge role (in the Champions Trophy).”

“Those boys are so eager that they want to play for the nation, as I have stated previously. They are passionate about representing the nation and playing for it.
According to Gambhir, India can’t afford to take it easy during the Champions Trophy because they only have three league games, compared to nine apiece during the 2023 50-over World Cup.
“Compared to the 50-over World Cup, the Champions Trophy presents a totally different challenge since every match is really a make-or-break match, meaning you can’t stop anywhere in this competition.
“So hopefully we’re going to start off really well, because ultimately, if you want to go on and win the competition, you have to win five games.”
Gambhir downplayed the excitement around the February 23 India vs. Pakistan match, which is set to take place in Dubai.
“Look, we don’t enter the Champions Trophy believing that our most crucial match is on the 23rd. All five games, in my opinion, are significant. Winning the Champions Trophy, not just one game, is the goal of traveling to Dubai. However, we will make every effort to treat it seriously if it is a game that separates us from winning the Champions Trophy.
“And more importantly, I think when two countries, India and Pakistan, play against each other, obviously the emotions are really high, but ultimately the contest remains the same.”
Gambhir also praised India’s T20I skipper, Suryakumar Yadav, for bringing new ideas to the team after Rohit and Kohli retired from the shortest format following the T20 World Cup last year.
“When we discuss bravery and selflessness, Surya and I have been in agreement. However, we do want to become more intelligent in the future, since that is how we will develop as a T20 squad and, ideally, in all other formats as well.
However, I believe the boys have been outstanding. They possess all the necessary abilities, talents, and disposition. And I believe what they’ve accomplished over the past six months has been amazing.
“I believe that this T20 team was founded on two tenets. That is bravery and selflessness. These young lads have responded really well to what I believe we want to develop in that dressing room.”
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