Former India batter Suresh Raina has backed veteran duo Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to find their form ahead of Champions Trophy 2025. The 38-year-old, during his chat with Star Sports, has warned against writing off India’s veteran batting duo. India’s former batter said that both players have the ability to put in match-winning performances.
Suresh Raina said, “When a big, reputed batter is out of form, he wants to make it count the next time he goes out to the middle. The player always wants to make the team and live up to his reputation. Both of them are not in form, but they are tigers. Virat Kohli at No. 3 and Rohit Sharma as an opener, both can make the team win on their own."
During his chat with the Times of India, Raina had said that India erred by not picking dynamic batter Suryakumar Yadav. “Surya was an integral part of the World Cup squad; he is a 360 player who can score at 9 runs per over at any stage of the game. He can dominate the opposition and bats in a different way.”
Suresh Raina backs Shubman Gill’s elevation to vice captain.
Young Indian batter Shubman Gill was named vice captain of the ODI side, which caused a huge surprise. Speaking about Gill’s elevation, Raina said, “Gill got the vice captaincy at the right time. He is the next superstar of Indian cricket and has done remarkably well in ODIs. Rohit knows how to mentor a youngster and what value Shubman will bring in.”
Meanwhile, speaking about the bowling combination, Raina said, “Arshdeep Singh will be crucial alongside Jasprit Bumrah. He (Bumrah) will be lethal against batters, but the most important role will be Hardik Pandya’s—when he bowls and whether he bowls in tandem with Kuldeep Yadav. Will Axar Patel play? Will Washington Sundar play? The combination matters. If it’s Hardik and Axar, the batting depth increases, which is advantageous.”
The 38-year-old also added, “The middle overs will be critical. We’ve seen how Kuldeep bowled to Babar Azam and changed the game. He has worked hard at the NCA, refined his action, and now deceives batsmen more effectively. Rohit Sharma deserves credit for utilising Kuldeep’s unique style. His action and bowling are different, and batters have to be extra cautious against him.”