ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Mohammad Azharuddin puts pressure on Rohit Sharma with bold prediction on India's title chances

Former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin expressed his excitement over Rohit Sharma's return to form with the bat. Mohammad Azharuddin believes that Rohit Sharma’s form has returned just at the right time for the high-stakes ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

With Rohit back in top gear, expectations are soaring for India to make a strong title run, and even the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) president also feels the seasoned opener’s form would only boost the Men in Blue's chances at the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

If Rohit Sharma clicks in the ICC Champions Trophy, India will definitely win: Mohammad Azharuddin

After enduring a tough phase with just 166 runs across 16 innings, the Indian captain silenced his critics with a magnificent century in the second ODI against England in Cuttack. His explosive knock of 119 runs from just 76 balls, laced with 12 boundaries and 7 towering sixes, led India to a thrilling four-wicket victory over England in the second ODI in Cuttack.

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Rohit's century not only sealed the ODI series for India with the final ODI scheduled in Ahmedabad on February 12 but also shot down the calls for his retirement. Meanwhile, after the second ODI, Azharuddin shared best wishes for Rohit for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and said that India will surely win the trophy if he performs well in the tournament.

Mohammad Azharuddin was quoted as saying by PTI, “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 congratulates Rohit Sharma on breaking Sachin Tendulkar's record

With his Cuttack century, Rohit has surpassed Sachin Tendulkar's record for the most runs as an opener for India across all three formats of the game, and Azharuddin congratulated the current Indian captain for his remarkable achievement. Notably, Rohit is only behind Sehwag in the elite list. He also hopes Rohit will continue his form in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, starting on February 19.

Azharuddin added, “He is a class player; the runs were deserting him; he kept going on yesterday. I heard he played really 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.”

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Azharuddin says only Rohit Sharma can decide his future

Recently, Rohit was suggested to retire from the game after he failed to deliver in the Ranji Trophy and flopped against England in the first ODI in Nagpur. However, Azharuddin believes that such decisions are personal and should be made by the players themselves.

The former Indian captain also emphasized that only someone who has played at the highest level understands the intensity and demands of the game, as he left it to Rohit to decide the right time to take a call on his illustrious career. Notably, Rohit already retired from T20I cricket.

Azharuddin signed off by saying, “It's up to Rohit to decide. A player who plays the game knows how intense it is.”