A billion people would be hoping that the Indian cricket team gets their hands on the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. India was very close of winning the ICC ODI WC 2023 as the pain of that defeat still hurts the fans. Virat Kohli was the ICC Player of the Tournament in the WC 2023 with 765 runs. Virat Kohli though has gone a lot of flak for his performance in BGT 2024-25 & recently concluded Ranji game.
According to sources with knowledge, it’s strongly believed that ICC CT 2025 can be the last series for Gautam Gambhir as a head coach if India doesn’t win the championship. There’s no doubt that under Gambhir’s coaching, India thumped England in T20I series and is going through a purple patch but; the ODI series defeat against Sri Lanka in 27 years & other series’ performances haven’t been to the standards.
Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma add so much value to India cricket- Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir was seen at BCCI Annual Awards and was asked about the presence of Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli in team. Gautam Gambhir pointed out that Virat & Rohit still have a lot to offer for Indian team. Gambhir made it very clear that the two stalwarts will play a massive role in ICC CT 2025.
“I think both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, they add so much value to the dressing room. They add so much value to Indian cricket as well. They’ve got to play a massive role (in the Champions Trophy). “And I’ve said it before as well, those guys are so hungry, they want to play for the country. They have the passion to play for the country and deliver for the country,” said Gautam Gambhir.
England ODI series a dress rehearsal for India
The ODI series between India & England is set to commence from 6th February. The conditions & pitches at India & Dubai (*India’s matches will be played at that venue in ICC CT 2025) would be contrasting but the team will have a chance to gel. This will be the first time that head coach Brendon McCullum will be a part of ODI setup after a horrendous outing in T20Is against India.
There is uncertainty in Ithe ndian dressing room regarding the participation of Jasprit Bumrah for the main event as these 3 ODIs gives a chance to Arshdeep Singh to showcase his skills in the 50-over format having played only a handful of ODIs before. Ravindra Jadeja would be keen to perform with both and bat against England.
The emotions are really high when India & Pakistan play against each other- Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir pointed out that ICC Champions Trophy is a complete different format as compared to ODI WC. Gambhir stated that the team is not only focused on the clash against Pakistan in ICC CT 2025 which is scheduled on 23rd February.
“Champions Trophy is a completely different challenge as compared to the 50-over World Cup because literally every game is a make-or-break, so you can’t stop anywhere in this tournament. 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,” said Gautam Gambhir.
“Look, we don’t go to the Champions Trophy thinking that the 23rd is the most important game for us. I think five games, all the games are important. The mission to go to Dubai is to win the Champions Trophy, not only win one particular game. But yes, if that is one game in the middle of winning the Champions Trophy, we’re going to try and take it as seriously as possible,” he stated.
“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,” he added.