Dubai, February 18, 2025 – India’s captain Rohit Sharma is well known for his sense of humor, and he showcased it once again during a practice session ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025. In a light-hearted moment, Rohit was seen engaging in an amusing conversation with UAE net bowler Awais Khan after the training session. The Indian skipper lauded Awais for his impressive bowling skills but humorously accused him of trying to break his leg with inswinging yorkers.
“Class bowler. Aap hamara joota… hamara pair todne ki koshish kar rahe the par… inswinging yorker maar ke (You were trying to break our legs). Badiya bhai badiya (very good). Aap log humko idhar aake help kar rahe ho, bada acha laga, thank you (You guys are helping us by bowling to us here),” Rohit said while appreciating the young pacer.
Awais Khan, a left-arm pacer from the UAE, bowled to Rohit Sharma and other Indian batters during the net session. The young bowler was thrilled to fulfill his dream of bowling to Rohit and enjoyed the experience immensely. Rohit’s playful demeanor left the camp in high spirits as the team prepared for the upcoming tournament.
Team India Begins Preparations for Champions Trophy 2025
Team India conducted its first practice session in Dubai ahead of the much-anticipated Champions Trophy campaign, set to begin on February 20. The training session focused on fine-tuning strategies and acclimatizing to the playing conditions in the UAE.
India, one of the tournament favorites, will be looking to solidify their combinations and finalize their game plans before stepping onto the field for their opening match.
Rohit Sharma: Key to India’s Success
Rohit Sharma is not just India’s captain but also a crucial player in their batting lineup. The explosive opener is expected to provide strong starts for the team at the top of the order. Over the years, Rohit has evolved his batting style, becoming more aggressive in white-ball cricket.
However, his form in Test cricket has been inconsistent, as he struggled in the red-ball format during the home series against Bangladesh and New Zealand. His woes continued in Australia, where he managed just 31 runs across three Tests at an average of 6.20 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Despite his struggles in Tests, Rohit remains one of the most dominant ODI batters. He silenced critics with a stunning return to form against England, scoring a blazing century in the second ODI. His knock of 119 runs off 90 balls, featuring 12 fours and 7 sixes, was a testament to his incredible ability to change the course of a match single-handedly.
As India heads into the Champions Trophy, Rohit’s form will be vital in determining the team’s success. His leadership, combined with his aggressive batting, will be instrumental in navigating tough oppositions in the tournament.
India’s Champions Trophy 2025 Schedule
India will kick off their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai. The Men in Blue will then gear up for a high-stakes battle against arch-rivals Pakistan, a fixture that always garners immense attention. Their final group-stage match will be against New Zealand on March 2.
The Champions Trophy 2025 will be played under a hybrid model due to India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan. As a result, all of India’s group-stage matches will be held in Dubai.
Final Thoughts
As India fine-tunes its preparations for the Champions Trophy, the camaraderie within the squad remains strong, thanks to Rohit Sharma’s ever-present humor and positive energy. His interaction with Awais Khan not only provided a moment of laughter but also highlighted the value of net bowlers in international cricket.
With the tournament just days away, all eyes will be on Rohit Sharma and Team India as they aim to bring home another ICC trophy. Fans will be hoping that the captain leads from the front, both with his bat and his charismatic leadership, to script yet another memorable campaign for Indian cricket.
