Star India batter Virat Kohli will return to his run-scoring ways in the Champions Trophy and he will lead the team’s batting this year along with Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, said former India player Robin Uthappa. However, his recent struggles in Test cricket have led to discussions about his career, but he has no plans to retire and aims to play in the 2027 ODI World Cup as well.
“Virat will score heavily this year and I think he’s going to start doing that from here. I think Virat is there and thereabouts. He will be among runs very, very soon,” Uthappa told PTI Videos in an exclusive interview on Wednesday. “I mean the standard of runs that we are used to seeing Virat score. So, I think it’s just a matter of time.”
However, Virat Kohli has been facing criticism for his recent form in Test cricket of late, and barring a century in the series opener in Perth, he has struggled to score in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, mostly getting out to balls outside the off-stump as well.
“I think (Mohammed) Shami will be raring to go. He’s been out of action for a while and he’s just come back into playing. Arshdeep (Singh) will be raring to go as well. He’ll have some memories that he’ll want to change here from the last time he played against Pakistan at this venue,” Uthappa stated.
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Asked about India’s chances in the tournament, Robin Uthappa sounded optimistic too.
“Oh, very good. I think it’s going to be a tournament where it could be potentially the last ICC tournament for Rohit and Virat. Potentially, as in, could not be either, but maybe one of the last times you’ll probably get to see Rohit and Kohli together. So, you know, I think they would want to make it count, as would everybody else in the team. So, I think they’ll work very hard to take this one home.”
He again said: “I don’t think it will be a cakewalk. I think respect will be given where it’s due. However, not a lot of one-day cricket has been played in the recent past here in Dubai. So, I think tomorrow’s game will be a lot about gathering a lot of information. India is playing all the league matches here. So, gathering as much information as possible, how will the wicket play out, what the conditions will be like, is it better to chase or bat first? “So, I think tomorrow, they’ll come open-minded to gather a lot of information and yet play good cricket and take a win home.”
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“I think Pakistan is a very unpredictable side and I think it’s how they turn up on that particular day. They certainly have potential, but I don’t think they have more potential than the Indian cricket team. I think the potential that we possess as a team individually and as a group is tremendous. Despite the fact that we don’t have our superstar Jaspreet Bumrah, I still think we have enough in our repertoire to be able to beat Pakistan.” Uthappa was full of praise for the likes of Gill, Iyer and Hardik Pandya,” he shared.
“I think Shubman again is in some superb form and I also think someone who is in good form is Shreyas Iyer. So, I think the two of them will play a vital role in taking India forward in this tournament. I think Hardik, Jadeja and Axar’s roles are equally important and I think they’ve been fulfilling that role very well. They make a formidable all-rounder lineup and I think they as well will go out there and do their best,” Robin Uthappa concluded. “I believe so. I think India will clinch this one.”
