Mohammad Kaif defends under-fire Rohit Sharma ahead of ICC 2025 Champions Trophy

Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif has backed under-fire Rohit Sharma ahead of the ICC 2025 Champions Trophy. Rohit is under the pump after he could only manage 31 runs in five innings on the Australian tour at an average of 6.20.

Furthermore, Rohit scored only 91 runs in three Test matches against New Zealand at 15.17 and he aggregated only 42 runs in two Tests against Bangladesh while playing at home.

However, Kaif recalled that Rohit was the second-highest run-getter in the 2023 ODI World Cup as he amassed 597 runs in 11 matches at an average of 54.27 and strike rate of 125.95.

Kaif pointed out how Rohit Sharma took the attack against Pakistan in the ODI showpiece as he scored a blistering knock of 86 runs off 63 balls.

Mohammad Kaif said on his YouTube Channel, “It was a World Cup match in Ahmedabad, with lakhs of spectators. India vs Pakistan and Shaheen Afridi had dismissed Rohit Sharma several times before, so there was pressure. He tackled it with feet adjustments. He played straight shots, flicked, and set the tone for India. He’s done it several times for India. He wants to go out there and attack. He’s like, ‘You guys follow me, I want to make the most of the first 10 overs.’”

“In that match, Pakistan failed to make a comeback after Shaheen Afridi was hammered in the beginning. Rohit attacks in the first over. He smashed six sixes in that match, scored around 86 off 63 balls and won the game for India.”

“He played the World Cup very well, and became the second-highest run-getter after Virat Kohli, who scored 759 runs. Rohit had 597 runs. Our two players are among the greats, their contributions were big in the World Cup,” Kaif added.

Kaif reckons India would have won the ODI World Cup if Rohit had batted a little longer than he did in the summit clash against Australia.

“If Rohit Sharma had played five more overs in the final [against Australia], India would’ve won the World Cup. The form he was in, batting on 47, he had stretched the score to 70 in the first 10 overs. If he had stayed a bit longer, his score would’ve been around 70 and India would’ve reached around 270 or 280.

“It’s a completely different thing to chase 240 than 280 in the final. His wicket was the turning point when he got out to Maxwell and India lost the World Cup final.”

Rohit would certainly look to lead from the front in the Champions Trophy. India will begin their Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh in Dubai on February 20.