The countdown for the Champions Trophy 2025 has begun, and India’s first match will be against Bangladesh on February 20. Although Team India is currently busy with a series against England, Gautam Gambhir has made a big prediction about the upcoming Champions Trophy. Gambhir expressed confidence that Team India will win the ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai, and he believes that the most crucial roles in the team will be played by captain Rohit Sharma and former captain Virat Kohli. Gambhir shared these thoughts during the BCCI Naman Awards in Mumbai.
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‘Rohit and Virat will make the team champions’
Gambhir said, “Both Rohit and Virat have the hunger and passion to play for the country. The ICC Champions Trophy is a different challenge where every match is crucial, unlike the World Cup where one loss doesn’t spoil your chances. We hope to do well there, and to win the tournament, we will need to win all five matches. Experienced players like Rohit and Virat will be important there, and we need to utilize their abilities. At the same time, the other players in the team will also play for the country’s prestige and honor.”
Gautam Gambhir said, ""for me, both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli bring so much value to the dressing room and add so much value to Indian cricket as well. I'm sure both those guys, along with the rest of the team, will be absolutely hungry". pic.twitter.com/wCKYZuUxdg
---Advertisement---— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 1, 2025
Not just Pakistan, all matches are important
Gambhir also revealed Team India’s strategy for the biggest encounter in the Champions Trophy – the India vs Pakistan clash. He clarified that the Indian team will not just focus on beating Pakistan but will aim to win all their matches in Dubai. The India-Pakistan match in the Champions Trophy will take place on February 23. Gambhir added,
“We are not going to play the Champions Trophy thinking that we only have to beat Pakistan or that the match on February 23 will be the biggest for us in the tournament. The India-Pakistan match is an important one, but our mission is to win all five matches and claim the Champions Trophy. For the public, the match between India and Pakistan may hold special significance, but for us, it is just another match, and we will aim to win it like any other.”
Importance of Rohit and Virat’s presence in the dressing room
Gambhir also expressed his happiness with Team India’s performance in the T20 format over the past few months, along with the importance of Rohit and Virat’s presence in the dressing room. He said that Rohit Sharma has fostered a sense of selflessness in the Indian team, where players play for the team more than for themselves.
