India head coach Gautam Gambhir believes senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will play 'massive roles' for the team in the Champions Trophy 2025. Both Rohit and Kohli are going through a rough patch since the New Zealand Test series at home last year. Moreover, the duo's outings in the Ranji Trophy were nothing much to speak of either.
Despite their current lack of form, Gambhir believes both of them will be crucial for the team's chances as they add value to the set-up. The head coach feels they are hungry and passionate to play for the country, underlining their importance in the dressing room as well.
"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). 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," said Gambhir at the BCCI annual awards on Saturday, February 1.
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Gambhir highlighted that India cannot afford to take their foot off the pedal at any stage of the eight-team tournament as the format is compact and every match is do-or-die compared to the ODI World Cup.
"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," Gambhir added.
Gambhir was also asked about the clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on February 23. The 43-year-old downplayed the hype and said that the team is treating all games equally important and the mission is to win the Champions Trophy rather than a specific match.
"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. And more importantly, I think when two countries, India and Pakistan, play against each other, obviously the emotions are really high, but ultimately the contest remains the same," Gambhir concluded.
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