New Delhi, March 8 || With India stationed in Dubai for their 2025 Champions Trophy games, it has meant that former cricketer Lalchand Rajput, who’s based currently in Dubai as UAE head coach, has got the chance to attend the side’s practice sessions, as well as meet with most members, including Virat Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma.
Rajput has known Rohit for a long time – he was the Indian team manager when India won the inaugural 2007 Men’s T20 World Cup. Though Rohit hasn’t got a fifty or hundred yet, unlike his top-order colleagues Kohli and top-ranked ODI batter Shubman Gill, Rajput is confident that Rohit could get the three-figure mark in the title clash against New Zealand in Dubai on Sunday.
“If you look at it, it is good to see that most of the batters have got into form. Everybody was talking about Virat, and he got 100. He almost missed 100 in the last game as well, in the semi-final. Gill has got a hundred.”
“Rohit is in good nick as well. He is getting those 30-40s, but not converting into big score. But I think this is a big platform for him as well. I am sure Rohit will be looking at getting a big hundred in the final,” said Rajput in an exclusive conversation.
India have also benefitted from Shreyas Iyer striking form to be a dependable number four batter. On Dubai’s slow and low pitches, Iyer has been able to counter spin well and form formidable partnerships with Kohli, as well as allow other Indian batters to play their roles well.