Team India has been practicing at ICC Cricket Academy, Dubai ahead of their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign opener against Bangladesh on February 20. Skipper Rohit Sharma who shrugged off concerns about his form with a century against England lauded a UAE net bowler, Awais Ahmad, for helping him prepare. Also, he teased the left-arm pacer as he bowled inswinging yorkers targetting his legs.
“Class bowler. Aap humara joota… pair todne ki kosish kar rahe the inswinging yorker maar ke. Badiya bhai badiya. Aap log humko yaha help kar rahe ho, bada acha laga, thank you (You were trying to target my show and break by leg with inswing yorkers. I felt very good that you guys have been helping us practice.)," Rohit said in a video that has gone viral on social media.
Rohit had a good net session on February 17 where he was timing the ball well. He scored a belligerent 119 in the second ODI in the run chase of 309 but registered two single-digit scores in the series as well.
Rohit's ODI record in Dubai
Last time Rohit played an ODI at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, he scored 48 runs from 55 balls. It was Asia Cup 2018 final and India won the last-ball thriller by just three wickets. Rohit has a good record in Dubai having scored 303 runs from five ODI innings at an average of 105.66. He has one century and two fifties at the venue.
Rohit's ODI numbers against Bangladesh
Rohit also has an impressive record against Bangladesh. The 37-year-old has scored 786 runs from 17 innings against them at an average of 56.14. He has scored three centuries and as many fifties against Bangladesh.
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Rohit 19 runs away from joining elite list
Rohit has played 10 Champions Trophy games. He has 481 runs at an average of 53.44 including one century and four half-centuries. In the Bangladesh clash, he will have the chance to become fifth Indian batter to score 500 or more runs in Champions Trophy. The first spot is occupied by Shikhar Dhawan (701 runs) followed by Sourav Ganguly (627 runs), Rahul Dravid (627 runs) and Virat Kohli (529 runs).