Lalchand Rajput, former coach and cricketer for India, believes the Indian team is poised to win the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy for the first time since 2013. He attributes his confidence to the team’s cohesive performance and their ability to excel in all areas of the game. According to Rajput, the Indian players are demonstrating exceptional teamwork throughout this prestigious tournament.
The team, led by Rohit Sharma, has shown impressive dominance, overpowering Bangladesh and delivering a resounding victory against their rivals, Pakistan, thus continuing their winning streak in the competition. India’s batting lineup is performing exceptionally well, with key players consistently scoring runs. The bowling attack has also been consistently effective, contributing significantly to India’s successive wins in Dubai.
Captain Rohit Sharma showcased his excellent form by scoring a century against England in the lead-up matches. Shubman Gill, the vice-captain, started the tournament strongly with a remarkable unbeaten century of 101 runs off 129 balls against Bangladesh. Shreyas Iyer has also been a reliable performer in the middle order, collectively highlighting the strong batting form of the Indian team.
“I am confident that India will win the Champions Trophy this time. Their current form is outstanding; the team spirit is excellent, and they are performing well in all aspects of the game. The batsmen are in great form – Gill, Rohit with his century against England, and now Virat also scoring a century. Shreyas Iyer is also playing consistently well,” Rajput stated to ANI.
In terms of bowling, Mohammed Shami delivered a fantastic performance, taking five wickets and dismantling the Bangladesh batting lineup. Young bowler Harshit Rana has also shown his talent for taking wickets, especially in the crucial middle overs. ‘Chinaman’ bowler Kuldeep Yadav regained his rhythm, taking three wickets in the high-pressure match against Pakistan.
“Our bowling is well-rounded with two quality spinners, Jadeja and Axar. Among the medium pacers, Shami is bowling excellently, and Rana is also performing well. Importantly, Kuldeep Yadav, whose form was a slight concern, performed well and took three wickets in the last match. Overall, I believe we have all bases covered. The most significant advantage is that we are playing as a united team, and this winning momentum will undoubtedly carry us to the final,” he added.
Among the standout batting performances for India, Virat Kohli’s form was a major topic of discussion, particularly after his slow innings of 22 runs off 38 balls in the opening match. However, he effectively silenced his critics by returning to form with a magnificent unbeaten century of 100 runs, which played a key role in Pakistan’s defeat.
Kohli’s 51st ODI century, a record extension, served as a powerful reminder of his reputation as the ‘Chase Master’ in modern cricket. He expertly guided India’s run chase, ensuring they comfortably reached the target of 242 runs without significant difficulty.
“Firstly, I am very pleased that we have won both matches and even more delighted that Virat Kohli scored a century. This was crucial because there was much discussion about his form. I am very happy with his batting – his aggression and his running between the wickets were superb. I am really pleased that he scored another century while chasing,” he commented.
“I believe these are big match players… they have been playing for many years and understand the importance of major platforms. These players excel under pressure, and an India-Pakistan match is one of the biggest in the world, watched globally. He has once again proven why he is one of the best players in the world,” he further added.
With both teams progressing to the semi-finals, India is set to play against New Zealand on Sunday in the final Group A match, which will determine the top two positions in the standings.
“I think every match is important, and no coach would take any game lightly. We aim to win every match, and I am sure they will approach this game with the same seriousness and aim to win and secure the top position in the league,” he said.
As the Indian team evokes a sense of nostalgia among fans with their impressive performances, Lalchand highlighted New Zealand as the team that could pose a significant challenge to the reigning finalists’ dominance. New Zealand and India have previously played once in the Champions Trophy, where New Zealand emerged victorious.
“I believe New Zealand is the only team that could be a tough opponent because they have consistently performed well against us in ICC Champions Trophies and ICC events, including home series. This history will be in our minds, but Test cricket is different from one-day cricket. I am confident we will maintain a positive outlook in that regard,” he concluded.
