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Virat Kohli Photograph: (X)
Former India skipper Virat Kohli’s coach Rajkumar Sharma has made a huge statement on his ward's form with the bat. The 36-year-old finally showed some form with the bat during the final ODI against England to score a half-century. Kohli, who is the leading century-maker in ODI cricket has scored 529 runs from 13 matches in Champions Trophy.
India Today quoted Rajkumar Sharma saying “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 did for the country. I believe that he will be performing like the champion player he always has been,"
Virat Kohli was the leading run scorer during the 2023 ODI World Cup but his form in the format has fizzled since. The right-handed batter endured a tough time during the Sri Lanka tour last year. Kohli didn’t play the first match of the ODI series before scoring five and 52 in the next two games.
‘Jasprit Bumrah will be huge miss’- Rajkumar Sharma
India’s leading pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the 2025 Champions Trophy due to injury. Rajkumar Sharma said that the bowler’s absence is a huge blow for the Men in Blue as they look to win the title. Bumrah is back with the NCA as he gets ready to make his return for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025.
Sharma said “It is unfortunate because Bumrah is our ace fast-bowler and his presence will be missed. I consider him as number one bowler as he brings breakthroughs in initial stages and does well in death overs too”. When asked to rate India’s chances, Kohli’s coach said “The chances are really there and India is among the favourites. The team is very strong."
Former India batter Aakash Chopra had predicted that the coming tournament could be the final ICC event for Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja. The 47-year-old had said “I am convinced that these three will not be a part of another ICC event. We haven’t qualified for the final of the World Test Championship and the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy is going to be their last”