'If he finds form before the Champions Trophy then...': Suresh Raina passes massive verdict on Rohit Sharma after skipper's flop show in first ODI against England

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'If he finds form before the Champions Trophy then...': Suresh Raina passes massive verdict on Rohit Sharma after skipper's flop show in first ODI against England
Suresh Raina and Rohit Sharma

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Rohit Sharma failed to perform in 1st ODI against England.

Suresh Raina reckons that Rohit Sharma will regain his form in remaning ODIs vs England.

India's Champions Trophy-winning all-rounder Suresh Raina is hopeful that captain Rohit Sharma will get his mojo back during the remaining two ODIs against England ahead of Champions Trophy 2025. Rohit's batting struggle continues as India skipper got cheaply dismissed after scoring just two runs in the first ODI against England at VCA stadium in Nagpur. 

Raina who was part of India's 2011 ODI World Cup winning team believes that if Rohit regained his form in the remaining ODIs against England then everyone will witness a different kind of approach from the skipper. 

"I think this wicket would have been a good one for Rohit Sharma’s comeback had he applied himself a bit more," Raina said on Sports18.

 

"Now, the team will move to Cuttack, where he could also perform well. If he finds form before the Champions Trophy, then we’ll see a different kind of captain and a different kind of approach from him," said Raina.

Despite Rohit's flop show India defeated England by 4 wickets to take 1-0 lead in a three match ODI series. The second ODI will take place on February 9 in Cuttack. After finishing the white ball series against England, The Men in Blue will travel to Dubai for the Champions Trophy 2025 which is scheduled to start from February 19. 

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The mega event will take place in a hybrid model where matches featuring India and one of a semifinal will take place in Dubai and Pakistan's Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi will host rest of the matches.  The venue for the final also depends on India's performance, if the Rohit-led side manages to reach the final it will take place in Dubai otherwise Pakistan will host the title decider on March 9. 

Team India will start their Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh on February 20. India's second league match will be against arch-rivals Pakistan and the Men in Blue will play their third match against New Zealand.