"If Rohit Sharma finds form before Champions Trophy.."- Suresh Raina drops cold-blooded verdict

Former cricketer Suresh Raina feels that India's top three batters need to play together ahead of a big tournament like the Champions Trophy. Raina was speaking about Virat Kohli's absence from the first ODI between India and England at Nagpur.

Raina also shed light on Rohit Sharma's poor batting form and felt that the Indian captain had a great chance to get amongst the runs in Nagpur. He believes that Rohit will be a different captain if he is in form with the bat which will augur well for India.

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India's top three need to play together - Suresh Raina

While speaking on Sports 18 after the match, Suresh Raina shared his opinion on India's batting order. He believes that India's top three batters Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli need to bat together before the Champions Trophy.

"That’s why the question of whether Virat Kohli will be fit in time is crucial because having the top three play together in these two matches before the big tournament is very important," Raina said.

Virat Kohli was expected to play in Nagpur but unfortunately injured his right knee on the night before the game, according to India's captain Rohit Sharma. He is likely to be fit before the next match in Cuttack.

Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are likely to be India's openers for the upcoming Champions Trophy with Virat Kohli at the No. 3 spot. It is the same batting order that India opted for in the ODI World Cup 2023 and received huge success.

Suresh Raina speaks on Rohit Sharma's poor form

Suresh Raina also reckons that Rohit Sharma could have found form in Nagpur had he given himself some more time. He feels that Rohit will be a different captain if he gets amongst the runs before the Champions Trophy.

"I think this wicket would have been a good one for Rohit Sharma’s comeback had he applied himself a bit more. Now, the team will move to Cuttack, where he could also perform well. If he finds form before the Champions Trophy, then we’ll see a different kind of captain and a different kind of approach from him," Suresh Raina added.

Rohit Sharma's poor batting form continued in the ODI format as well. He scored just 2 off 7 balls and was out while trying to play the ball over the infield on the leg side by the fast bowler Saqib Mahmood.

Shubman Gill takes India to victory

While Rohit Sharma didn't score big and Virat Kohli didn't play, Shubman Gill had an excellent match with the bat. The 25-year-old struck 87 off 96 balls with 14 fours and emerged as the Player of the Match.

Gill was positive right from the start and formed a great partnership with Shreyas Iyer first up. While Iyer was out after playing a fiery knock, Gill continued his merry way. He stitched another vital partnership with the allrounder Axar Patel to take India closer to England's total.

While Gill was dismissed later, allrounders Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja ensured to take India home safely in the end. The second ODI between these two sides will be played on February 9 at Cuttack.