Suresh Raina Backs Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli to Shine in Champions Trophy 2025
New Delhi, February 4: Former India cricketer Suresh Raina believes that if Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma perform well in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, it will significantly boost India’s title chances.
Speaking exclusively to Star Sports, Raina emphasized how Rohit’s strike rate has seen a major improvement since the 2023 ODI World Cup, making him one of India’s most formidable ODI batsmen. He also highlighted that both Kohli and Rohit’s experience and past records would play a crucial role in India’s campaign.
“Rohit Sharma’s strike rate has improved significantly after the ODI World Cup 2023. Since then, he has scored at a strike rate of 119-120, making him one of India’s best ODI batsmen,” Raina stated.
“For Rohit and Virat, I would say that past performances give confidence. They complement each other well, and both have the ability to score big runs. If they perform well, India’s Champions Trophy campaign will benefit immensely,” he added.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will take place from February 19 to March 9, featuring eight teams playing 15 matches across Pakistan and Dubai. Due to the hybrid model, India will play all its matches in Dubai.
The most anticipated match between India and Pakistan is scheduled for February 23. India will begin its campaign against Bangladesh on February 20, with its final group-stage match against New Zealand on March 2.
✅ Rohit Sharma (C)
✅ Shubman Gill (VC)
✅ Virat Kohli
✅ Shreyas Iyer
✅ KL Rahul (WK)
✅ Hardik Pandya
✅ Axar Patel
✅ Washington Sundar
✅ Kuldeep Yadav
✅ Jasprit Bumrah
✅ Mohammed Shami
✅ Arshdeep Singh
✅ Yashasvi Jaiswal
✅ Rishabh Pant
✅ Ravindra Jadeja
Before heading to the Champions Trophy, India will face England in a three-match ODI series starting on February 8 in Nagpur. The series will then move to Cuttack on February 11, with the final ODI scheduled for February 14 in Ahmedabad.
With India preparing for back-to-back ODI assignments, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s form will be closely watched as they aim to bring another ICC trophy home.
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