Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have massive role to play in Champions Trophy: Gautam Gambhir
India head coach Gautam Gambhir has clarified that team India stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will have “massive roles” in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy event.
Despite both players’ forms being under scrutiny, Gambhir spoke about the value that both players would bring to the Indian 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 was quoted as saying during the BCCI annual awards. “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.”
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India coach Gambhir also spoke about how the format of Champions Trophy, where there are three league matches as compared to the 50-over World Cup, will leave every team on their toes from the opening ball.
“Champions Trophy is a completely different challenge as compared to the 50-over World Cup because literally every game is a make-or-break, so you can’t stop anywhere in this tournament. So hopefully we’re going to start off really well, because ultimately, if you want to go on and win the competition, you have to win five games,” he said.
A lot of the hype for the Champions Trophy has been created on the India vs Pakan match in Dubai on February 23.
“Look, we don’t go to the Champions Trophy thinking that the 23rd is the most important game for us. I think five games, all the games are important. The mission to go to Dubai is to win the Champions Trophy, not only win one particular game. But yes, if that is one game in the middle of winning the Champions Trophy, we’re going to try and take it as seriously as possible. Story continues below this ad
“And more importantly, I think when two countries, India and Pakan, play against each other, obviously the emotions are really high, but ultimately the contest remains the same.”
