February 10, 2025: Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin expressed his delight at the return of Rohit Sharma to form, following the latter’s explosive century against England in the second ODI at Cuttack. Rohit had been struggling with a series of low scores, but his commanding century helped India secure the series win, much to the joy of fans and experts alike.
Azharuddin congratulated Rohit on his performance and expressed his confidence that the Indian opener’s return to form would be crucial for India’s success in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. “I am happy that he is back in form. I did not see the game, but heard he batted well. I congratulate him for scoring 100 runs. I also wish him all the best for the Champions Trophy. The way he played yesterday, if he continues to play like this in the Champions Trophy as well, I do not doubt that India will be successful in the tournament,” said Azhar.
Rohit Sharma’s form had been shaky in the 2024-25 Test season, where he struggled to score runs, particularly in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. However, his ODI form has been remarkable since 2023, with Rohit amassing 1,533 runs in 32 matches at an average of 52.86 and a strike rate of 119.76, including three centuries and 11 fifties. His consistency and aggressive play during the powerplay have made him one of the most formidable players in limited-overs cricket.
When asked about how long Rohit should continue playing, Azharuddin stated that retirement is a personal decision and emphasized the importance of letting the player decide his future. “No one has a right to comment on retirement sometimes because it gets touchy. He has done well, he has got his form, and hopefully, he will keep it up,” said Azhar.
Azhar also wished Team India all the best for the Champions Trophy and urged the players to enjoy the tournament. The ninth edition of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy is set to take place in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates from February 19 to March 9, with India beginning their campaign on February 20 against Bangladesh. One of the most anticipated matches will be between India and Pakistan on February 23 in Dubai.
The tournament will see eight teams battle it out, with India being part of Group A alongside Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh. Group B will feature Australia, Afghanistan, England, and South Africa.
India’s squad for the Champions Trophy includes:
- Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja.
India’s Group Stage Fixtures:
- February 20: India vs Bangladesh, Dubai
- February 23: India vs Pakistan, Dubai
- March 2: India vs New Zealand, Dubai
As the Champions Trophy draws near, both the players and fans are hopeful that Rohit Sharma’s return to form will play a key role in India’s quest for success in the prestigious tournament.