Rohit Sharma Backs Shubman Gill as Key Player for Champions Trophy
India captain Rohit Sharma has expressed confidence in vice-captain Shubman Gill, hoping the talented batter maintains his stellar form in the upcoming Champions Trophy.
India, the tournament favorites, will kick off their campaign against Bangladesh at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday, following a dominant 3-0 ODI series win over England at home. Their much-anticipated clash with arch-rivals Pakistan is set for Sunday.
Gill was instrumental in India’s recent success, earning the Player of the Series title against England with 259 runs, including a century and two half-centuries. His performance was a strong comeback after a lean Test series in Australia.
“Gill is a very classy player—his talent was never in doubt,” Rohit said. “People often mix different formats when judging a player, but his numbers speak for themselves. He has been outstanding for us over the last three to four years.”
Rohit also emphasized that Gill’s elevation to vice-captain reflected the team’s trust in his abilities. “There’s a reason he has been given this responsibility. Hopefully, he has a fantastic tournament, which will help us achieve our ultimate goals,” he added.
Experienced Top Order Holds the Key
As openers, Rohit and Gill will be crucial in setting the tone for India, alongside star batter Virat Kohli. Both Rohit and Kohli faced criticism after underwhelming performances in India’s 3-1 Test series loss to Australia but regained form in the ODIs against England. Rohit scored 119 in the second match, while Kohli contributed 52 in the third.
“The key to success in this format is for the top-order batsmen to score big runs. Our top four are experienced, and once they settle in, they have the ability to convert starts into substantial scores,” Rohit explained.
Shami’s Return and Kuldeep’s Impact
India’s bowling attack has received a boost with the return of experienced pacer Mohammed Shami, who has rejoined the squad in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, sidelined with a back injury. Shami, who had been out for over a year due to a heel injury, made an impactful comeback in the England series, taking five wickets across two ODIs and two T20s.
“For us, the priority was simply to see Shami back in Indian colors,” Rohit said. “Wickets were secondary; what mattered was getting him back in rhythm. He has delivered for us time and again, and his presence strengthens our bowling attack.”
Spinner Kuldeep Yadav, returning from hernia surgery, has also been a valuable addition to India’s spin-heavy attack. Rohit praised Kuldeep’s form, saying, “Stats don’t always tell the full story. His confidence is high, and when he and Shami are in form, the team looks much stronger.”
Playing in Dubai Instead of Pakistan
India will play all their matches in Dubai, having opted out of traveling to host nation Pakistan due to longstanding political tensions. Rohit emphasized that adapting to pitch conditions quickly would be crucial for success at the Dubai International Stadium.
“The key to performing well here is assessing the pitch as early as possible,” he concluded.
