Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif lauded batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, calling them “great white-ball cricketers” and emphasizing their importance in India’s campaign for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaif highlighted the duo’s vast experience and contributions to Indian cricket.
Rohit and Virat’s Remarkable Records
Virat Kohli, who made his ODI debut in 2008 against Sri Lanka, has amassed an impressive 13,906 runs in 295 matches at a strike rate of 93.54 and an average of 58.18. Rohit Sharma, debuting a year earlier in 2007 against Ireland, has scored 10,866 runs in 265 matches at a strike rate of 92.43 and an average of 49.16.
Kaif stressed that while both players are in their late 30s—Rohit at 37 and Kohli at 36—they remain indispensable to India’s success in the tournament.
Kaif’s Take on Rohit and Kohli
In his video, Kaif explained how the duo’s experience and skillset could make a significant impact in the Champions Trophy.
“You need Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. They are not going to play for a long time, so it’s important to back them. These two are phenomenal white-ball players, and I believe they will contribute significantly to the Champions Trophy. Rohit provides quick starts, and Virat capitalizes on that momentum. If they perform well, India has a strong chance of winning in Dubai,” Kaif said.
India’s Champions Trophy Journey
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9 under a hybrid hosting model, with matches being played in Pakistan and the UAE. India will play all their games in Dubai due to the model.
India is set to begin its campaign against Bangladesh on February 20, followed by a highly anticipated clash with Pakistan on February 23. Their final group-stage match will be against New Zealand on March 2.
India’s Squad for the Champions Trophy
The Indian squad, led by Rohit Sharma, includes:
- Batters: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Wicketkeepers: KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant
- All-Rounders: Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar
- Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh
Exciting Tournament Ahead
The Champions Trophy will feature 15 matches between eight teams, making it one of the most anticipated events in the cricket calendar. With experienced players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli leading the charge, India will look to make a strong statement and aim for victory in Dubai.
