Rohit Sharma’s last 10 innings in all formats or international cricket are 2, 3, 9, 10, 3, 6, 18, 11, 0, and 8 respectively; one can sense some trouble with the Indian cricket team captain, once upon a time one of the most celebrated batters of the world. He didn’t manage to reach a half-century in the last match since October 2024, let alone a century! While the man has had an on-field rut, it has been said that Rohit also faces certain off-field difficulties. Reports have suggested a rift in the Indian dressing room with further publication suggesting this might be a very last few months for Rohit Sharma in international cricket if things don’t change incredibly soon.
All said, the 2025 edition of the Champions Trophy would be an acid test for Rohit Sharma and his full preparation is off to a bad start with him scoring only 2 off 7 balls in the first ODI against England. The former World Cup-winning captain, Kapil Dev had this to say about Rohit Sharma-
“He is a big player and will come back in form sooner. I just wish the coach all the best. He will take time to settle in as the whole country awaits the side’s performance. The side has done extraordinarily well on a few occasions lately. The team still looks unsettled. There is an issue when a captain doesn’t strike runs at crucial junctures,” said Kapil Dev on the YouTube channel Cricket Adda.
“The team has not won; hence, fans are justified in their anger. When these players had returned home after winning the T20 World Cup, the craziest scenes took place, scenes I have never seen in my life. Whenever they perform poorly or badly, criticism follows. I say, it is very important not to praise players so much that they cannot take it. And then criticize them so much below the belt. This is just my thinking.”
Madan Lal, a former teammate of Kapil Dev in the victorious 1983 World Cup-winning squad, then queried Kapil Dev about star Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness, reporting that Bumrah is expected to take part in the Champions Trophy 2025 squad but is still doubtful. After he sustained a back injury at the beginning of January on India’s Tour of Australia, he has remained out of the Indian squad from that point onward.
“There are no two ways about it. No fast bowler has impacted the game in the last two years more than Bumrah. Once a bigger player like Anil Kumble gets unfit, it does affect the rest of the team. I only wish that he recovers quickly,” Kapil Dev said.
Champions Trophy 2025 will start on February 19 with India scheduled to play their first match against Bangladesh on February 20.
