Ex-India Captain Makes Bold Prediction For Champions Trophy 2025; Puts Pressure On Rohit Sharma

The former Indian captain, Mohammad Azharuddin, has put the current leader, Rohit Sharma, under tremendous pressure for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. The Blue Brigade finished as the runners-up in the previous edition of the tournament.

Their ongoing three-match ODI series against England is the last chance to prepare for the eight-team tournament. A call will be taken on Jasprit Bumrah’s availability for the competition on February 11, eight days before the start of the tournament.

Rohit Sharma’s recent form for India

The Nagpur-born went through a very tough phase in the recent few Tests against New Zealand and Australia. At home against the Kiwis, the right-handed batter managed 91 runs in six innings at an average of 15.15, with the help of one half-century.

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During the five-match red-ball series down under in the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Rohit struggled with just 31 runs in five innings at an average of 6.20. He decided to drop him for the final clash at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

The veteran returned to the domestic red-ball event in the Ranji Trophy 2024-24 for Mumbai against Jammu and Kashmir but returned with low scores. Even in the first ODI against England, Rohit tried to time the ball in the leg side but saw the ball ballooned in the air after taking a leading edge.

The 37-year-old finally ended the dry run of form with an incredible knock of 119 runs in 90 deliveries at a strike rate of 131.22, shouldering on 12 boundaries and seven over boundaries.

Mohammad Azharuddin backs Indian captain to do well in Champions Trophy

During a recent interaction on PTI, the former Indian captain, Mohammad Azharuddin, wished the Mumbai batter all success in the ICC event. He felt that the captain’s form had come back at the right time, just a week before the start of the campaign.

“I wish him all the best for the Champions Trophy. If Rohit Sharma clicks in the Champions Trophy, there is no doubt about us winning it. His form has come at the right time.” Azharuddin expressed.

In the Champions Trophy, Sharma smacked 481 runs in 10 innings for India at an average of 53.44 and a strike rate of 82.50, with the help of one century and four half-centuries at the best score of unbeaten 123 runs. He went past Sachin Tendulkar’s record for most runs as an opener of the side across formats.

The former Hyderabad batter claimed that Rohit didn’t give up and continued his aggressive after dry runs in the last few fixtures. He also congratulated the Nagpur-born for breaking Tendulkar’s record.

“He is a class player, the runs were deserting him, he kept going on yesterday. I heard he played well yesterday, and records are meant to be broken. I congratulate him on breaking Sachin Tendulkar's record, and I want to wish him the best for the Champions Trophy.” Azharuddin shed light.

Ex-India captain speaks on Rohit Sharma’s retirement call

Many felt that the Champions Trophy could be the last for Rohit Sharma. However, Azharuddin felt that the retirement call would be on the individual to make as he is someone who knows the intensity of the game.

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“It's up to Rohit to decide. A player who plays the game knows how intense it is.” Azharuddin expressed.

The Blue Brigade’s first game of the campaign will be against Bangladesh on February 20 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).