Champions Trophy: Gambhir backs Rohit and Virat, says duo ‘hungry for runs’

India head coach places his faith on batting icons to play “massive roles” in the Champions Trophy, scheduled to begin from February 19

Mumbai: India head coach Gautam Gambhir placed his faith on batting icons Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to play “massive roles” in the Champions Trophy and said they add “so much value” to the team and the country’s cricketing landscape in general.

The modest form of Kohli and Rohit in recent times has fuelled speculation about their future, but Gambhir did not read too much into it.

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“I think both Rohit and Virat, they add so much value to the dressing room. They add so much value to Indian cricket as well. They’ve got to play a massive role (in the Champions Trophy),” Gambhir said during the BCCI annual awards here on Saturday.

“And I’ve said it before as well, those guys are so hungry, they want to play for the country. They have the passion to play for the country and deliver for the country,” he added.

Gambhir said the team cannot relax even for a moment in the Champions Trophy because they have just three league matches, as compared to the 50-over World Cup.

“Champions Trophy is a completely different challenge as compared to the 50-over World Cup because literally every game is a make-or-break, so you can’t stop anywhere in this tournament. So hopefully we’re going to start off really well, because ultimately, if you want to go on and win the competition, you have to win five games,” he said.

Gambhir also played down the hype surrounding the India vs Pakistan match, which is scheduled to be played at Dubai on February 23.

“Look, we don’t go to the Champions Trophy thinking that the 23rd is the most important game for us. I think five games, all the games are important. The mission to go to Dubai is to win the Champions Trophy, not only win one particular game,” he said.

“But yes, if that is one game in the middle of winning the Champions Trophy, we’re going to try and take it as seriously as possible,” he further said. “And more importantly, I think when two countries, India and Pakistan, play against each other, obviously the emotions are really high, but ultimately the contest remains the same.” The former India opener hailed skipper Suryakumar Yadav for infusing a fresh life into India’s T20I squad after the retirement of legends Kohli and Rohit.