Former Indian batter Robin Uthappa believes the Champions Trophy could potentially be the last major ICC event for the veteran duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Both batters retired from T20Is after leading India to glory in the T20 World Cup in 2024.
India have failed to qualify for the final of the ICC World Test Championship 2025 whereas the next major events would be the 2027 ODI World Cup and the Test Championship final in 2027.
While Rohit is 37, Kohli turned 36 in 2024 but both of them could not perform consistently in the Border-Gavaskar trophy against Australia, casting doubts on their future in the Test format.
Robin Uthappa said on PTI, “I think it’s going to be a tournament where it could be potentially the last ICC tournament for Rohit and Virat. Potentially, as in, could not be either, but maybe one of the last times you’ll probably get to see Rohit and Kohli together. So, you know, I think they would want to make it count, as would everybody else in the team. So, I think they’ll work very hard to take this one home.”
Uthappa also backed Virat Kohli to have a great run in the 2025 Champions Trophy. Kohli has a great One-Day record and he is going to hold the key for India.
“Virat will score heavily this year and I think he’s going to start doing that from here. I think Virat is there and thereabouts. He will be among runs very, very soon. I mean the standard of runs that we are used to seeing Virat score. So, I think it’s just a matter of time.”
The former flamboyant batter reckons India’s opening clash against Bangladesh will not be a cakewalk.
“I don’t think it will be a cakewalk. I think respect will be given where it’s due. However, not a lot of one-day cricket has been played in the recent past here in Dubai. So, I think tomorrow’s game will be a lot about gathering a lot of information,” said Uthappa (as per the aforementioned source).
“India is playing all the league matches here. So, gathering as much information as possible, how will the wicket play out, what the conditions will be like, is it better to chase or bat first? So, I think tomorrow, they’ll come open-minded to gather a lot of information and yet play good cricket and take a win home.”
India will begin their Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh in Dubai on February 20.
