"The Bigger The Occasion.."- Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma's India inductee predicts Champions Trophy 2025 future

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli might have gone through torrid times recently in Test cricket but the duo still remains a threat to the opposition when it comes to the ODI format. Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar feels the same and has backed them to do well in the Champions Trophy.

Vengsarkar also believes that both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli make a big difference to India's ODI team and claimed that their presence will be very important. Both Rohit and Kohli have already retired from T20Is but are still active in the other two formats.

Both of them recently showed glimpses of their return to form during the ODI series against England. While Rohit scored a magnificent hundred in the second ODI, Kohli struck a crucial fifty in the third match at Ahmedabad.

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Dilip Vengsarkar backs Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli

During a conversation with TOI, Dilip Vengsarkar was asked about Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's form ahead of the crucial Champions Trophy. The former India cricketer backed both Rohit and Kohli to be at their best in the tournament.

Vengsarkar believes that both the players make a lot of difference to the team and backed them to give big performances on the big stage. Both are the senior players of the team and have loads of experience behind them.

"They are big-match players and will come good when the big matches are played. The opposition is also wary of them, so their presence is very important. They make a lot of difference. I'm sure that the bigger the occasion, the better their performance will be," Vengsarkar said.

Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli's difficult Test season

There have been questions over the future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in Test cricket after they endured a lean patch in India's home Test season and the subsequent Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

In the five Tests against Bangladesh and New Zealand played at home, Rohit scored 133 runs at an average of 13.30 with just 1 fifty in 10 innings. On the other hand, Kohli's numbers were just slightly better with 192 runs in these five Tests at an average of 21.33 with the best of 70.

Their poor form continued in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as well. Rohit scored just 31 runs in three Tests at an average of 6.20 while Kohli struck 190 runs at an average of 23.75 as he played all five Tests of the series.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have stellar ODI records which make them so crucial for India's Champions Trophy campaign. Rohit will lead the team in the upcoming tournament.

India's schedule in Champions Trophy 2025

India will begin their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against Bangladesh on February 20. They will play the arch-rivals Pakistan in their next match on February 23.

India's last match will be against New Zealand on March 2. All of their matches will be played in Dubai due to the hybrid model. If India manages to qualify for the knockouts, they will continue to play in Dubai.