India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir said on Saturday that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli had crucial roles to play in the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Expressing his thoughts at the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) annual awards ceremony on Saturday, Gambhir had extended his support to captain Sharma and star batter Kohli, asserted, "Both will play a vital role in the Champions Trophy."

Sharma and Kohli had last featured in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. During that series, Sharma accumulated 31 runs across three Test matches, whereas Kohli amassed 190 runs in five Tests.

Highlighting the significance of both players, Gambhir remarked, "I believe Rohit and Virat hold immense value in the dressing room, and they have a major role to fulfil in the Champions Trophy."

Reaffirming his confidence in them, Gambhir stated, "I have said before that both players wish to represent their country. They possess the passion to play for the nation and deliver performances."

Regarding the highly anticipated Pakistan-India match, the Indian head coach dismissed any special focus on the fixture. "We are not heading into the Champions Trophy thinking that the 23rd is the most important date for us. In my view, all five matches and every game hold equal importance," he remarked.

He further commented on the intense emotions surrounding Pakistan-India encounters. "The emotions are naturally high when both nations face each other, but in the end, it remains a cricket match," he observed.

The 2025 Champions Trophy had been scheduled to commence on February 19, with the Pakistan-India clash set for 23 February in Dubai.