ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Virat Kohli's coach predicts this future for the Indian legend

The childhood coach of Virat Kohli, Rajkumar Sharma, has backed the veteran cricketer to have a fantastic run in the Champions Trophy 2025. Sharma feels that a few poor games don't make Kohli a bad player and he will regain form soon.

Virat Kohli ensured a tough time recently with his lean patch of form extending from India's home Test season to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. However, he showed glimpses of his return to form with a fine half-century against England.

Kohli has a brilliant record in ODIs as compared to the other formats. It is the format that he enjoys the most and brings out his best. The 36-year-old batter will be looking to score loads of runs in the upcoming Champions Trophy.

Also read: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Virat Kohli, Babar Azam, or Rohit Sharma? Rauf settles the best batter debate

Rajkumar Sharma backs Virat Kohli to perform "like the champion player"

While speaking to the reporters on the sidelines of the Restaurant Cricket League in Delhi, Rajkumar Sharma backed Virat Kohli to perform well in the Champions Trophy. Rajkumar feels that a few poor outings doesn't make Kohli a bad player and one needs to see his previous performances for the country.

"Just because some matches went bad, does not mean the player is out-of-touch. When you look at his previous records, you will see what he (Virat Kohli) did for the country. I believe that he will be performing like the champion player he always has been," Rajkumar said.

Kohli has achieved numerous records in his decorated career which makes him one of the greats of the game. The 36-year-old batter might not be at his best currently but is still a big threat to the opposition as he can win games on his own.

Virat Kohli in the Champions Trophy

Kohli has an exceptional record in the Champions Trophy. The right-hander has scored 529 runs in 13 matches at a staggering average of 8.16 and a phenomenal strike rate of 92.32. He has struck 5 fifties in the tournament so far and is likely to add more to this list in the upcoming edition.

His best came in the 2017 Champions Trophy semi-final against Bangladesh in Edgbaston. He also led India to the final of the 2017 edition where they lost to Pakistan in the summit clash.

Kohli was in poor form in red-ball cricket in the last few months but he has always been comfortable playing white-ball cricket, especially the ODIs. He is just short of 14000 runs in ODIs and has an average of 57.93 in the format with 50 fifties.

India's schedule in Champions Trophy 2025

India will start their Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai. Afterward, they will play the arch-rivals Pakistan on February 23. The Men in Blue will round off their group stage campaign with a match against New Zealand on March 2.

India last won the Champions Trophy in 2013 under the leadership of MS Dhoni. It was also the last 50-over ICC title won by the Men in Blue. India will hope Kohli to be at his best as they aim to end their 50-over trophy drought in ICC tournaments.