- Team India Champions Trophy 2025: Team India had to face a 2-0 defeat in the ODI series against Sri Lanka. Most of the Indian batsmen proved to be flops in this series.
Team India Champions Trophy 2025:
Team India had to face a 2-0 defeat in the ODI series against Sri Lanka. Most of the batsmen of the Indian team captained by Rohit Sharma flopped in this series. Apart from Rohit Sharma, no batsman performed well. Team India is preparing for the Champions Trophy 2025. Before this, three batsmen may be dropped. If Shubman Gill, KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer are not in form, then Team India may need an alternative.
Shubman played as an opener in the ODI series against Sri Lanka. But he could not do anything special. Gill was out after scoring just 6 runs in the third ODI. In the second ODI, he returned to the pavilion after scoring 35 runs. Gill was out after scoring 16 runs in the first ODI. If he is not in form, then Team India will definitely need an alternative. Gill has been struggling with form for a long time.
Shreyas Iyer returned to Team India after a long time. He was part of the playing eleven in all three matches against Sri Lanka. But he too could not do anything special. Iyer was out after scoring 23 runs in the first ODI. He returned to the pavilion after scoring 7 runs in the second ODI. Whereas, he could score only 8 runs in the third and last ODI. Team India is looking at Iyer for the middle order. But at the moment his form seems to be problematic.
SL played better cricket and deserve the series win. It doesn't worry me that India lost a series. Wins and losses are part of the game. However it's a point of concern that India has just 3 ODIs before the Champions Trophy. #SLvIND
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) August 7, 2024
KL Rahul has been an experienced player of India. He played as a wicketkeeper batsman for Team India in two ODIs against Sri Lanka. But he could not do anything special. Rahul got out after scoring 31 runs in one match. While he got out on zero in the second ODI. He was not a part of the third ODI.
As the countdown to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 begins, Team India’s preparations are in full swing. However, the recent tour of Sri Lanka has raised some concerns, particularly regarding the form of three of India’s top batsmen. These stalwarts, who have been pivotal to India’s success in the past, faced an unexpected slump in performance during the series. With the Champions Trophy just around the corner, their places in the squad could be in jeopardy. Here’s a closer look at the situation and what it could mean for India’s campaign in 2025.
The Three Batsmen Under the Spotlight
The Sri Lanka tour was seen as a crucial series for India, offering players the chance to cement their places ahead of the Champions Trophy. However, three of India’s batting mainstays—names that have long been synonymous with consistency and reliability—struggled to find their rhythm on the challenging Sri Lankan pitches.
- Rohit Sharma: Known as the “Hitman” of Indian cricket, Rohit Sharma has been one of India’s most dependable batsmen across formats. However, his recent outings in Sri Lanka were far from his usual best. Despite being the captain, Rohit seemed out of sorts, unable to convert his starts into significant scores. His lean patch has raised eyebrows, with fans and selectors alike questioning whether he will regain his form in time for the Champions Trophy.
- Virat Kohli: Arguably the most prolific run-scorer of his generation, Virat Kohli’s form has been a talking point for the past couple of years. While Kohli has shown glimpses of his brilliance, his inconsistency during the Sri Lanka series has raised concerns. Once the backbone of India’s batting lineup, Kohli’s inability to anchor the innings has put his place in the Champions Trophy squad in doubt.
The Sri Lanka Tour: What Went Wrong?
The Sri Lanka tour was expected to be a relatively straightforward assignment for India’s top batsmen. However, a combination of factors contributed to their downfall. The slow, turning tracks in Sri Lanka tested their technique and patience, while the home team’s bowlers executed their plans to perfection. The Indian trio, who are more accustomed to batting on faster, bouncier pitches, found it difficult to adapt to the conditions.
Moreover, the pressure of performing in the lead-up to a major tournament like the Champions Trophy may have added to their woes. The weight of expectations, coupled with the rise of younger players vying for a spot in the squad, seems to have affected their confidence.
The Road Ahead: Selection Dilemmas and Possible Changes
With the Champions Trophy 2025 looming large, the Indian selectors are faced with some tough decisions. The poor form of these three batsmen cannot be ignored, especially when there are several young and in-form players waiting in the wings. The likes of Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, and Prithvi Shaw have been making a strong case for themselves with consistent performances, both domestically and internationally.
The selectors may be forced to make the difficult choice of leaving out one or more of these senior players in favor of fresh talent. While their experience is invaluable, the Champions Trophy is a high-stakes tournament, and India cannot afford any weak links in their squad.
Conclusion: A Time for Reflection and Reassessment
The Sri Lanka tour has served as a wake-up call for India’s top batsmen, highlighting the importance of form and consistency in the lead-up to a major tournament like the Champions Trophy. While Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, and Virat Kohli have been pillars of Indian cricket for years, their recent struggles cannot be overlooked.
As the selectors prepare to finalize the squad for the Champions Trophy 2025, they will need to strike a balance between experience and current form. For the three batting giants, this could be a time for introspection and a renewed focus on their game. Whether they make it to the Champions Trophy squad or not, their contributions to Indian cricket have been immense, but the future belongs to those who can perform when it matters most.