Sourav Ganguly Exclusive: Former Captain Shows Confidence in Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Ahead of Champions Trophy 2025

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As the cricketing world gears up for the Champions Trophy, former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has expressed optimism about the performances of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. In an exclusive interview with OneIndia Bangla, Ganguly highlighted their impressive records in limited-overs cricket.

He stated, "We hope that they play well in the white ball format. Their form, their record in the white ball has been very good. It's a little different from Test cricket. We hope that they will play well."

In recent Test matches, both players have faced challenges. India suffered a 3-0 series loss to New Zealand and a 3-1 defeat to Australia, ending their long-standing hold on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Rohit Sharma's form has been notably poor, with only one fifty and numerous single-digit scores in his last 15 innings. Virat Kohli managed a century early in the series but overall has struggled this season with nine single-digit scores in 17 innings.

In response to these challenges, both players have returned to domestic cricket to regain form. Rohit Sharma trained with the Mumbai squad for the Ranji Trophy's resumption, aiming to find his rhythm ahead of the Champions Trophy. Virat Kohli is set to make a highly anticipated return to the Ranji Trophy.

This marked his first appearance in domestic cricket since 2012. Their participation in domestic matches is seen as a strategic move to rebuild confidence and form. Cricket coach Gautam Gambhir emphasized their crucial roles, stating, "They have a massive role to play in the Champions Trophy."

Despite recent challenges, Ganguly remains optimistic, acknowledging the pressures faced by top players but expressing hope for their success: "There will always be a lot of talks. They are big players. We all hope that they will perform well."

As the Champions Trophy approaches, everyone will keenly observe how Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli translate their domestic efforts into international success. Their performances in the upcoming ODIs and the Champions Trophy will be pivotal in determining India's prospects in the tournament.