New Delhi. India recently had to face defeat in the Test series 1-3 against Australia. The winner of the series was decided after the last match played in Sydney. Captain Rohit Sharma and star batsman Virat Kohli have faced severe criticism for their poor performance during the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Rohit had even left himself out of the playing eleven for the final test. Forgetting Australia’s defeat, Team India is now ready for its new mission. The target will be to win the Champions Trophy but before that, Rohit and Virat would like to regain their form by scoring runs against England.
Before leaving for Australia tour, it was believed that senior players including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli would take rest in the home ODI series against England. Now after such poor performance, the pressure on both has increased. Before the Champions Trophy, both will have to make a comeback at any cost. If India has to win the ICC Trophy, then Team India will need runs from the bat of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Rohit and Virat have last chance
The pair of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who made India the champion by showing wonders in the ICC T20 World Cup, is expected to do the same charisma in the Champions Trophy. After becoming world champions, both of them had announced their retirement from T20. It is possible that if Rohit and Virat make India champion in the Champions Trophy, then they will say goodbye to ODIs also. India has to play a 3-match ODI series against England where both of them will have a good chance to regain their rhythm.
England ODI series schedule
The Indian team will play the first ODI of the three-match series in Nagpur on 6 February. After this, the second match will be played in Cuttack on 9th February while the third and last ODI match is to be played in Ahmedabad on 12th February. After the end of this series, the Indian team will leave for Dubai for the Champions Trophy.
FIRST PUBLISHED : January 7, 2025, 5:56 PM IST