Prolific Rohit-Kohli duo shine in CT
” Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli are the two giants of the 50-over game and also the talismanic batters of the Indian team who have worked in tandem to propel India into the final of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy and that too with some elan, reports Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net).
In the four matches in which the duo has figured thus far in the Champions Trophy, Kohli has been India’s most successful batsman, standing at No. 4 post the semifinal match against Australia, scoring 217 runs in four matches. He has scored one hundred and one fifty — his 100 not out against arch-rivals Pakistan in Dubai his lone century thus far.
He then contributed 84 against Australia in the first semifinal played in Dubai — proving that India’s best ODI player is in form, focused on his job, and determined to score in what could be his last Champions Trophy.
Then there is skipper Rohit Sharma who has given the starts that India has been wanting in the power-plays alongside his deputy Shubhman Gill. Sharma has scored 104 runs thus far in four matches, with a highest score of 41 at an average of 26.00 but a good strike rate of 107.21.
Rohit is playing perfectly the role assigned to him, giving India sound starts. But what has been noteworthy about Rohit’s recent success is that he has not won a single toss in ODIs since the 2023 World Cup final against Australia in Ahmedabad. His string of lost tosses has stretched to 14 consecutive tosses lost in ODIs — the latest being the Champions Trophy semifinal against Australia. But Sharma isn’t complaining about his unlucky streak as his team has been winning regardless of batting first or chasing totals in the Champions Trophy.
There is no doubt Sharma’s biggest asset in the tournament is Kohli’s return to form. And while Kohli is in the form he is in, it looks clear that he isn’t calling time on his ODI career any time soon. It is clear, Sharma’s decision on the same is expected anytime later this year.
Expressing his joy at scoring a century against Pakistan, Kohli said: “As long as the love and joy for batting is alive then all the other things take care of themselves. You are not going through a desperate situation keep your head down and thank God and just keep working towards what the team wants more often than not. You will have results like these.”
Former national selector Sanjay Jagdale, speaking to Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net) on Kohli and Sharma supporting each other said: “Actually Virat doesn’t need any backing. But I have seen Rohit supporting and backing him during his lean phase. The same goes for Kohli who is always supporting Sharma on the field during matches. He has always been a team man. It comes naturally to him.”
Former India wicket-keeper Saba Karim told Telecomasia.net: “It is very simple – both are mature individuals. The duo believes a lot in team spirit and the environment inside the dressing room created by seniors like them. At this stage of both their careers, both are looking to win the Champions Trophy, maybe knowing they are playing an ICC event for the last time together. Both are looking to end it on a high note.”
Talking about the upcoming final between India and New Zealand on Sunday (March 9), Saba Karim said India had the edge. “To be honest, India has got the edge over any team it meets in the final in this case NZ. It has a massive advantage due to team composition — four spinners especially. These help India to perform to its full potential. The team is ideally suited to play in conditions in Dubai. I think India should win easily.” ”
