Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has expressed strong belief in Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's ability to lead India to victory in the upcoming Champions Trophy in Dubai.

Addressing concerns about their recent dip in form, Kaif urged fans not to discount the duo's potential to deliver under pressure, emphasising their track record of rising to the occasion in critical moments.

In his recent YouTube video, Kaif highlighted the crucial role both players have played in India's ODI success, pointing to their performances in the 2023 ODI World Cup as evidence of their ability to thrive on the big stage. Kaif remains confident that their experience and skill will be pivotal in India's Champions Trophy campaign.

"You need Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the Champions Trophy. One is 37 years old, another is 36 years old. They are not going to play longer. Whatever they play, give them your blessings because they are great players of white-ball cricket who won't play too long," Kaif said.

"They will contribute. If they play well, then only you'll be able to win matches in Dubai. Rohit provides the start by batting faster in the beginning and Virat Kohli uses that start to bat till the end and scores there. Give them your love," he added.

Kohli's Inconsistent Form and Resilience

Kohli's recent performances have been underwhelming, particularly during India's 1-3 series loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Although he started the series with a century in Perth, his form tapered off, managing just 95 runs in the subsequent matches. Kohli's susceptibility to deliveries in the off-stump corridor became a recurring issue, with eight of his 10 dismissals coming from edges to the slips or wicketkeeper.

However, Kaif pointed out that about his ability to bounce back. The star batter amassed a tournament-high 765 runs in 11 matches at a staggering average of 95.62, proving he can still deliver when it matters most.

Rohit Sharma's Consistency in ODIs

While Rohit has also faced criticism for his recent performances, his ODI stats offer a different narrative. In 2023, he accumulated 1,255 runs in 27 matches, showcasing his ability to anchor innings and provide explosive starts. His contributions were instrumental during the 2023 World Cup, where he finished as the second-highest run-scorer with 597 runs at an average of 54.27, including one century and three fifties.

Kaif stressed that both players have the experience and skill to handle the pressures of international tournaments. With the Champions Trophy looming, India will rely on the proven match-winning capabilities of Rohit and Kohli to spearhead their batting efforts.