ICC Champions Trophy: Rohit Sharma's redemption a crucial boost for India

Any challenge, no matter how far-fetched, seems surmountable when one has his group behind him. The same stood true yesterday as India celebrated the return to form of their skipper, Rohit Sharma. The last few months have been 'tough' for the group, to state it subtly. From defeats that broke their long-standing Test records to revelations that shook the core of the squad, India faced it all. Standing at the center of all scrutiny was the skipper, Rohit Sharma, along with his senior ally, Virat Kohli, and head coach, Gautam Gambhir. While the team left the ghosts of their horrid Test run behind them to take on a new format, chatter kept mounting about the struggles that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were enduring in run-scoring. Things finally took a turn, however, as the skipper announced his mastery with a splendid century in the second India vs England ODI. Coming just days ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy, Sharma couldn't have timed his knock any better.

Ravindra Jadeja highlights the importance of Rohit Sharma for India's ICC Champions Trophy campaign

The second India vs England ODI in Cuttack marked the day that put an end to a long wait for Indian fans. With eyes dug deep into his performance and chatter surrounding his elongated lean patch, Rohit Sharma shed the shackles to announce his return. Interestingly, Sharma's form in ODIs has never been a headache. But with the 50-over format taking a backseat lately, the details turned hazy. Thus, when Rohit departed at just 2 in the opening ODI against England, the hue and cry over his form, or lack thereof, amplified through multiple channels.

The Indian captain, however, was quick to remind everyone of his stature as an ODI batter as he returned to hit a century in just the next match. His ton at the Barabati Stadium was laced with shots that turned back time and showcased the destructive batter that Sharma once was. The captain's knock emerged as a sight for sore eyes, with his glorious innings coming just in time for the ICC Champions Trophy. Sharma and Virat Kohli remain the most crucial elements in the Indian team, capable of deciding the squad’s fate in the marquee event. While the audience still awaits Kohli's resurgence, Sharma's blitzkrieg in Cuttack seems to have calmed the masses.

Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja, another top performer in the India vs England ODI series so far, lauded Rohit for his century. Jadeja, who picked three wickets in the opening ODI and as many in Cuttack, is one of the senior prospects in the Indian squad for the ICC Champions Trophy. Looking in fine touch himself, Jadeja explained how Sharma's ton bolsters the team's chances of finishing impressively in the upcoming ICC tournament. Moreover, the spin all-rounder, in the press conference following the second ODI, noted that while there were multiple opinions going against Rohit outside, the team remained confident in his capabilities. Jadeja explained that the skipper needed just one innings to turn things around in his favor—something he finally got in Cuttack.

“In the dressing room, we’re not worried at all,” said Jadeja about Rohit following the second ODI. “He’s such a big player that he knows how to get back in form. It was just a matter of one inning. It didn’t feel like he has not scored runs in the last few innings. It was a smooth knock, and he played some confident shots. Sometimes it’s just about one or two innings. If one or two innings go well, it’s a good thing. Him getting back in form before the Champions Trophy is important for us. I think it’s excellent for the team. Obviously, he knows what his game is. There’s nothing to think about or discuss," he added.

Further in the interaction, Ravindra Jadeja faced a query about the availability of Jasprit Bumrah for the ICC Champions Trophy. Following the pattern that has emerged lately from the Indian camp, the all-rounder failed to share any information on the pacer. Along with Sharma and Kohli, Bumrah is one of the most crucial prospects in the Indian squad for the tournament. However, with all the secrecy around him, it remains unclear whether the team will get to play their ace pacer in Dubai.