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Rohit Sharma is hoping to win another ICC trophy as India captain when he leads the team at the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Rohit Sharma will lead India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. (PTI Photo)
Less than a year after winning his maiden ICC trophy as captain, Rohit Sharma will embark on a fresh quest to lead India in another global event – 2025 Champions Trophy – with a dream of adding another major title against his name. In June 2024, Rohit realised his dream of winning a world cup as captain when India won the T20 World Cup beating South Africa in the title clash.
India have been pooled alongside Pakistan, New Zealand and Bangladesh in Group A of the Champions Trophy and begin their campaign on February 20.
Former India cricketer Suresh Raina, while lauding Rohit’s captaincy, feels that the 37-year-old will be highly motivated to win another ICC title given it could be the last of his career as India captain.
“Rohit Sharma is an attacking captain. The way he utilises his bowlers is commendable — bringing in Mohammad Shami at crucial moments and relying on spinners strategically,” Raina said on Star Sports.
“When Rohit scores runs, it also reflects in his captaincy. This could be his last ICC trophy as captain, and if he wins, he will become (alongside Virat Kohli) the first Indian player to win four ICC trophies. He has already won the T20 World Cup, and securing the Champions Trophy would be a remarkable achievement. He will be motivated to make it happen, but scoring runs will be crucial for him,” he added.
Rohit’s form with the bat has been a bit of a concern in red-ball cricket and he will have a chance to regain some confidence ahead of the marquee event when India hosts England for a three-match ODI series later this week.
Should Rohit revert to a more measured approach and ditch the aggressive intent which played a defining role in India’s run at the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup?
Raina doesn’t think so.
“I think Rohit should play aggressively. You saw how he batted in the ODI World Cup — he was attacking even in the final. So, I believe his approach will remain the same. The key question is who will open alongside him — will it be Shubman (Gill)? I remember, whenever they play together, they maintain an aggressive intent,” he added.
