Virat Kohli is considered to be the greatest player of the current era due to his pyrotechnics on and off the field, his availability for the upcoming mega event the ICC Champions Trophy has grown huge interests amongst cricket lovers and fans . Virat Kohli over the years have burdened Indian hopes on his shoulders through immaculate innings in the longest format of the game will like to give his all in conquest of the elusive ICC title.
The swashbuckling opener Rohit Sharma has once again made himself available to captain India for the upcoming mega event the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 which could be his journey in the conquest of the coveted ICC Title in 50 overs format a the captain . With the next
Despite concerns over his recent form, India’s star batter Virat Kohli has received strong backing from his childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma, who believes the veteran cricketer will perform like a “champion” in the upcoming Champions Trophy. With the tournament set to kick off on February 19, all eyes will be on Kohli to see whether he can overcome his recent struggles and lead India’s charge.
Virat Kohli’s recent form and his performance in previous ICC Champions Trophy
Virat Kohli’s track record in the Champions Trophy further supports Sharma’s confidence. The right-hander has amassed 529 runs in just 13 matches at a phenomenal average of 88.16 and a strike rate of 92.32. His consistency is reflected in his five half-centuries in the tournament, with his highest score of 96* coming in the semi-final of the 2017 edition against Bangladesh at Edgbaston. Virat Kohli also played crucial unbeaten knocks of 81* and 76* against Pakistan and South Africa, respectively, further solidifying his reputation as a big-game player.
The right-hander had a mediocre 2024 with the bat, especially in red-ball cricket. Meanwhile, in five ODIs since the 2023 ODI World Cup, Virat Kohli has managed 115 runs in five innings at an average of just 23 and a strike rate of 87.1.
Virat Kohli had a forgettable Test tour of Australia, scoring 190 runs in nine innings, which included a century in the first Test in Perth. The former India captain missed the first ODI of the home series against England due to injury. He was dismissed cheaply in the second game but contributed 52 in the last match played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Virat Kohli’s childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma, feels the star Indian batter will return to his absolute best in the ICC Champions Trophy, which starts on February 19.
Virat Kohli’s Childhood Coach Rajkumar Sharma is confident of a great show in Champions Trophy 2025 despite a mediocre form
Although Virat Kohli managed a half-century against England in the third ODI in Ahmedabad, his overall performances have come under scrutiny. His lean patch in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, combined with his dismissal for just five runs in the second ODI against England, has raised questions about his form heading into a crucial ICC tournament.
However, speaking on the sidelines of the Restaurant Cricket League in Delhi, Rajkumar Sharma dismissed these concerns and argued that a few poor outings do not define a player of Virat Kohli’s calibre.
“Just because some matches went bad, does not mean the player is out-of-touch. When you look at his previous records, you will see what he did for the country. I believe that he will be performing like the champion player he always has been,” Rajkumar said.
The Men in Blue will be without their ace paceman Jasprit Bumrah, who was ruled out of the tournament due to a back injury.
Mohammed Shami is making his return from a long injury and hasn’t looked at his best, while Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana haven’t played enough ODIs. India do have a strong spin-bowling unit and will rely on them to put pressure on the oppositions.
“It is unfortunate because Bumrah is our ace fast-bowler and his presence will be missed. I consider him as number one bowler as he brings breakthroughs in initial stages and does well in death overs too,” said Rajkumar.
Bumrah has been replaced by young pacer Harshit Rana in India’s 15-man Champions Trophy 2025 squad. India also brought in leg spinner Varun Chakravarthy and replaced young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was part of the provisional squad for the ICC event. Rajkumar Sharma, however, is still confident of India’s chances in the event.
“The chances are really there and India is among the favourites. The team is very strong.”
The BCCI confirmed Team India’s final squad for the Champions Trophy 2025 on February 11. The team will be led by Rohit Sharma, with his opening partner Shubman Gill named vice-captain. The Men in Blue picked four all-rounders – Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Ravindra Jadeja. Significantly, there was no place for Mohammed Siraj, with Rana being preferred over him as Bumrah’s replacement.
India’s squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk.), Rishabh Pant (wk.), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, and Varun Chakravarthy.
Non-traveling substitutes: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj, and Shivam Dube.
India will start their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 before taking on arch-rivals Pakistan on February 23. India’s last group game will be against New Zealand on March 2. As India aims to end its long wait for an ICC trophy, the team will be banking on Kohli to find his rhythm and deliver on the grand stage once again. With India set to kickstart their Champions Trophy campaign on February 20 against Bangladesh, many eager eyes will be on Kohli from the get-go.