Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have "got to play a massive role" for India in ICC Champions Trophy 2025, says Gautam Gambhir

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will feature in the upcoming ODI series against England.

Amid their disappointing form in test cricket, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have found the backing of head coach Gautam Gambhir to turn their form around in the ODI format in the next few weeks.

The senior duo have been under heavy scrutiny for their poor returns in the longest format. Across the three test series against Bangladesh, New Zealand and Australia, Rohit averaged only 10.93 and eventually had to drop himself from the fifth test in Australia. In the same three series, Kohli averaged 22.47, better than Rohit but still quite grim.

Rohit managed just one fifty across his last 15 test innings, and Kohli hit one century and one fifty across his last 19 test outings.

The duo retired from T20Is last year after lifting the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Their next target is the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, and before that, they will feature in the three-match ODI series against England at home.

They add so much value to the dressing room: Gautam Gambhir

Gambhir and Rohit attended the BCCI Awards 2024 on February 1 in Mumbai. Gambhir was asked about Rohit and Kohli’s form heading into the ODI series against England and how he sees their roles at the Champions Trophy.

The head coach asserted that the duo would have huge roles to play in the upcoming ICC event if India are to succeed. Gambhir reckons they are still hungry and add immense value to the team.

“I think both Rohit and Virat, they add so much value to the dressing room. They add so much value to Indian cricket as well. They’ve got to play a massive role (in the Champions Trophy),” Gambhir said.

“And I’ve said it before as well, those guys are so hungry, they want to play for the country. They have the passion to play for the country and deliver for the country.”

The first ODI against England will be played in Nagpur on February 6.

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