EXCLUSIVE | ‘Virat Kohli aur Rohit Sharma jaate jaate ek aur ICC trophy de do yaar’

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: Former India bowler Praveen Kumar is assured that captain Rohit Sharma will add one other ICC trophy to his spectacular cupboard on March 9 in Dubai. Rohit captained India to 2024 T20 World Cup triumph by defeating South Africa within the ultimate in Barbados, ending an 11-year look ahead to an ICC trophy — his first as captain. Praveen, who has shared the dressing room with Rohit for India and at Mumbai Indians, is optimistic that the 37-year-old opening batter will elevate the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 this time round.
India have already secured their place within the semifinals and can face New Zealand, who’ve additionally certified, within the ultimate group stage match of the event on Sunday. The final result of this match will resolve the semifinal match-ups.
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“I am sure Rohit will lead India to a title win. He will have another ICC trophy soon,” Praveen informed TimesofIndia.com in an unique interview.
“Bas yahi bolunga, Virat aur Rohit jaate jaate ek aur ICC trophy de do yaar [Virat and Rohit, give us one more ICC trophy before you retire],” Praveen stated.

India started their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 marketing campaign with a six-wicket victory over Bangladesh, adopted by one other six-wicket win in opposition to arch-rivals Pakistan.
In the opening match, Shubman Gill scored a century and Mohammed Shami took 5 wickets to safe the win over Bangladesh.
Then, Virat Kohli delivered a superb century, steering India to a complete overcome Pakistan.
Praveen credited the crew’s success and unity to captain Rohit, affectionately calling him “yaaron ka yaar.”
“The team is doing really well. Whether it’s batting, fielding, or bowling, India is dominating in every aspect. The best part is that every member of this team is a match winner. I would give all the credit to Rohit Sharma. He is a ‘yaaron ka yaar’. He is a true team man,” Praveen stated.
“Virat is playing really well. He is a big match player. There were questions about him playing and getting dismissed to off-stump deliveries. Is that still an issue? No. Because a player like him doesn’t need many matches to make a comeback or get into the groove. He only needs one good innings, and he is never out of form,” he stated.
“You can never say that players like Rohit and Virat are out of form. They have given Indian cricket so much,” Praveen added.

WHO WILL TEAM INDIA FACE IN SEMI-FINAL?
From Group B, comprising South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan and England, the Proteas and Aussies have superior to the semifinals.
In Group A, India and New Zealand have secured semifinal spots, however their ultimate group match on Sunday will decide the semifinal matchups. With each groups tied on 4 factors, New Zealand at present lead on superior web run fee (NRR). The winner on Sunday on the Dubai International Stadium will end atop Group A.
If India defeat New Zealand, they’ll prime the group and face Australia within the semifinal on Tuesday, March 4, on the Dubai International Stadium, whereas New Zealand would then tackle South Africa on the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore on Wednesday, March 5.
If India lose to New Zealand, the Rohit-led aspect will meet South Africa on Tuesday on the Dubai International Stadium. New Zealand will then face Australia on Wednesday in Lahore.
Should India attain the ultimate, the title conflict will likely be performed in Dubai on March 9.