Rohit, Kohli Out Of Form; Who Will Be India's Key Batter In Champions Trophy 2025?

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

KL Rahul for India [Source: @theUpadhyay_ji/x.com]KL Rahul for India [Source: @theUpadhyay_ji/x.com]

The Indian team will be looking to win the second ICC trophy on the trot. They are the winners of the last ICC event, i.e., the T20 World Cup 2024. Now, under Rohit Sharma's leadership, the Men in Blue will aim to bring home the Champions Trophy after 12 long years.

The Indian team has always been known for their batting strength, and going into the Champions Trophy, they will once again depend on their batters to lay a strong foundation in the games to do well in the tournament. 

Notably, India will play all their matches at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai, UAE. As the tournament approaches, here is a look at three batters who could be crucial for India, given their previous record at the venue.

Most Indian batters in the CT 2025 squad have not played an ODI at the venue. So, we will take a look at their IPL records.

3. Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill [Source: @BCCI/x.com]Shubman Gill [Source: @BCCI/x.com]

Shubman Gill is going into the tournament as the vice-captain of the Indian team. So, it is expected that Gill will open in most of the games with Rohit Sharma. 

Matches
Runs
Average
Strike Rate
622437.37127.27

Table - Shubman Gill's IPL Numbers At The Dubai International Cricket Stadium

Gill's average of 37.37 in the T20 format at the venue shows that he enjoys batting there. The Dubai track can often be tricky for the batters, but Gill's strike rate shows that he looks to judge the wicket first before settling into his stride. As an opener, Gill will have to hold one end and allow Rohit Sharma to play his game. Also, he could be the sheet anchor who adds that extra bit of strength to India's batting. 

2. Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant [Source: @cricbuzz/x.com]Rishabh Pant [Source: @cricbuzz/x.com]

A look at India's squad raises the question of whether India will play Rishabh Pant in the XI in most matches. However, a peek at his record in Dubai might convince the management to think otherwise. 

Matches
Runs
Average
Strike Rate
1234638.44123.13

Table - Rishabh Pant's IPL Numbers At The Dubai International Cricket Stadium

Pant has an average of over 38 in the T20 format at this venue. This speaks of the consistency he has maintained on a tricky surface for the batters. The middle overs are going to be crucial at this venue during Champions Trophy 2025. Being a left-handed batter, Rishabh Pant could bring in a bit of variety in the Indian line-up, and his liking for the venue might give the team an extra edge. 

1. KL Rahul

KL Rahul could be the fulcrum during the tournament that India needs to do well in the big matches. Rahul has taken a particular liking for the surface at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Matches
Runs
Average
Strike Rate
1260667.33146.02

Table - KL Rahul's IPL Numbers At The Dubai International Cricket Stadium

The Indian middle-order batter has an average of over 67 at the venue, which shows that the conditions suit his batting perfectly. Rahul could become India's biggest strength in the batting, and his ability to rotate strikes in the middle overs against the spinners could be a huge factor for the team during the campaign.

Conclusion

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have not been in the best of forms with the bat recently. They have been the team's stars and have done much of the heavy lifting in the past decade. However, Rohit's average of around 22 and Virat's around 30 in Dubai, and their form, are not encouraging signs for India. So, it would be upon batters like Gill, Pant and Rahul to take charge of the workload and lay the foundation for the team during the tournament.