ICC Champions Trophy: Rohit Sharma's abilities not to be overlooked, says Shardul Thakur

As India gears up for the ICC Champions Trophy, the team skipper, Rohit Sharma has found a supporter in his Mumbai teammate Shardul Thakur. Despite a scintillating century in the second India vs England ODI in Cuttack, doubt looms over the form of the captain. However, the Indian all-rounder iterated that despite the slump in his form, Rohit remains a notch above the rest of the batters. Reflecting on Rohit’s journey as a batter, Thakur dismissed concerns over his recent struggles, attributing them to a temporary dip rather than a long-term decline.

Shardul Thakur backs Indian skipper Rohit Sharma ahead of ICC Champions Trophy

The India skipper had faced scrutiny over his form leading into the England series, with questions raised about his consistency. However, he silenced critics in emphatic fashion, smashing a brilliant century in the second ODI at Cuttack. Thakur pointed to this innings as a testament to Rohit’s ability to deliver when it matters most. The all-rounder also revealed that he had spoken to Rohit before the series about his struggles, and the captain had assured him that a big knock was just around the corner.

"The way he was batting (in Cuttack ODI vs England), it did not even seem like he was out of form even once. He might get out in some balls, that happens to everyone in the nets. Apart from that, he looked very comfortable out there. Its just a matter of luck...you can only blame luck. The way he hits those sixes, he is such a dangerous batter in every scenario. His class is different from all the rest," Shardul said.

Thakur further recalled Mumbai’s recent Ranji Trophy fixture against Jammu and Kashmir, where both he and Rohit played. While the Indian skipper couldn’t make a major impact in that match, Thakur stressed that Rohit looked in fine touch during practice, emphasizing that one underwhelming outing doesn’t define a player of his caliber. He highlighted Rohit's century against England as proof that the opener remains among the finest batters in world cricket.

"When he played that Ranji game for us and did not score runs, we had a chat because he had not scored in Australia either. But he was so confident that he told me, I know the runs are not coming now, but all I need is just one innings. Then, runs will come automatically again,” he added.

Defending Rohit Sharma from criticism, Thakur shed light on the challenges of opening in international cricket, particularly in Tests, where handling the new ball is no easy feat. He urged fans and experts to show patience, insisting that momentary lapses shouldn’t overshadow Rohit’s proven track record. Rohit’s commanding 119 off 90 balls in Cuttack was a reminder of his signature dominance. He dismantled both pace and spin with ease, striking 12 fours and seven sixes. His resurgence is a timely boost for India, with the Champions Trophy on the horizon, where his leadership and batting will be pivotal to the team’s success.