ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Not Virat Kohli or Jasprit Bumrah, Suresh Raina declares this player as India's game changer
Published - 28 Jan 2025, 11:55 AM | Updated - 28 Jan 2025, 12:17 PM
Table of Contents
Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina heaped praise on the struggling opener and captain Rohit Sharma ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is set to get underway in Pakistan from February 19. However, India will play its matches in Dubai, UAE.
Recently, Rohit Sharma has been going through the rough phase of his career, and the upcoming three-match ODI series and ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will give a clearer picture of his future with the India National Cricket Team. Notably, he already retired from T20I cricket in 2024.
Suresh Raina backs Rohit Sharma to shine in ICC Champions Trophy 2025
As the Men in Blue gear up for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, Suresh Raina showered rich praise on Rohit Sharma despite another failure for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25. He couldn’t even score 40 runs across the innings against Jammu Kashmir in Mumbai.
Read Also: ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final tickets locked; shambles for PCB and ICC
However, Raina believes that when Rohit gets into his groove, there is no better batsman than him in the world. The former Indian batter also lauded the seasoned opener’s effortless batting and remarkable composure at the crease, as these traits make his batting look incredibly easy.
Raina also pointed out that if Rohit dominates bowlers and takes control of the game within the first 20 to 25 overs, then there is no second thought that games would be one-sided affairs for India. Well, Rohit’s record in ODI cricket is much more incredible than in Tests, so Raina is confident that he will be on fire in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 for India.
Suresh Raina says no better batsman when Rohit Sharma is in his zone
Suresh Raina said on Star Sports: “When Rohit Sharma is in his zone, I don't think there can be any better batsman than Rohit Sharma. He is so effortless, and he has so much time in batting. If he bats in 20 or 25 overs, then you will be relaxed because he makes the match one-sided.”
💬 "Rohit Sharma is a flawless timer of the ball with superb technique," - Suresh Raina on Star Nahi Far.
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) January 27, 2025
Watch Star Nahi Far Full episode ft. #SureshRaina @ImRaina on Disney+ Hotstar
📺 #ChampionsTrophyOnJioStar STARTS WED, 19 FEB 2025! | #CT25 pic.twitter.com/WT7QauyjFS
In 265 ODIs, the elegant opener has scored 10,866 runs at an average of 49.16, including 31 centuries. Rohit had also a remarkable 2023 ODI World Cup, where he scored over 400 runs. However, as captain, he couldn't lead his team to the title glory as Australia emerged victorious in Ahmedabad.
Suresh Raina credits Rohit for Yashasvi Jaiswal's selection in CT 2025 squad
Meanwhile, the former India cricketer also hailed the captain and the selectors for selecting Yashasvi Jaiswal for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 even though he has not yet made his ODI debut.
Raina has noted that Jaiswal's hunger for scoring runs and his impressive form have earned him this big opportunity, but much credit goes to Rohit and the national selectors.
Raina signed off by saying, “I think that boy is very hungry for runs. I mean, whenever we see his story, I think he has come to that level very eagerly. Hats off to the selectors, especially Rohit Sharma. Without playing the ODI, you are taking that boy to the Champions Trophy. You know that he does a lot of hard work; dedication is very good. But he has a different attitude in his eyes; he has a different patience. It seems that this boy has come prepared."
