Kohli and Rohit are in a league of their own: Inzamam-ul-Haq

The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry is one of the most fierce and historic clashes in the sport. As the two teams prepare for their fixture on February 23 in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, cricketing greats shared their insights on the significance of this match. Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq emphasised on the importance of Indian batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

India will enter the game after a comfortable six-wicket victory over Bangladesh in their tournament opener. Shubman Gill’s century and Mohammed Shami’s five-wicket haul played a crucial role in India’s success. On the other hand, Pakistan suffered a disappointing 60-run loss to New Zealand, struggling both with the bat and ball. With only two teams from each group progressing to the semifinals, Pakistan has a must-win situation against India to keep their hopes alive. 

The former Pakistan skipper stressed the importance of Rohit and Kohli in India's batting lineup. He compared their influence to that of Babar Azam in Pakistan’s setup, stating that when a key player falls early, the team feels the pressure, and the opposition gains confidence

"There is no doubt that all Indian players are very good, but Virat and Rohit are in a league of their own. That’s because they have been performing consistently for nearly 20 years, and their impact on the team is massive. If they get out early, it will make a significant difference in India's dressing room, and Pakistan’s morale will rise," Inzamam said on JioHotstar’s special episode Greatest Rivalry Returns.

"That doesn’t mean the rest of the Indian players won’t perform—they are very talented—but they are still developing. Similarly, when Babar Azam gets out for Pakistan, the opposition’s bowlers get a boost, and Pakistan’s dressing room feels the pressure. For Pakistan to win, the lower and middle order must step up. If India loses both Rohit and Virat early, Pakistan can gain an advantage," he added.

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Rohit can hook it effortlessly: Yuvraj Singh

Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh shared similar thoughts, especially about Rohit Sharma's match-winning capabilities. Yuvraj praised the Indian skipper's abilities to score at a fast pace, and handling the short-pitched deliveries. He mentioned that Rohit’s strike rate of 120-140 makes him a dangerous batter, capable of taking the game away from the opposition in a matter of overs.

"Rohit Sharma, whether in form or out of form, it doesn’t matter to me. I would always back my match-winners. In ODI cricket, especially in white-ball formats, he has been India’s biggest match-winner as a batsman, alongside Virat Kohli. If Rohit is struggling but still gets runs, that’s dangerous for the opposition. If he’s in form, he will score a century in 60 balls. That’s his quality—once he gets going, he’s not just hitting fours; he’s clearing the ropes with sixes.

"He is also one of the best players of the short ball. Even if someone bowls at 145-150 kmph, Rohit has the ability to hook it effortlessly. His strike rate is always between 120-140, and on his day, he can single-handedly win you the game," the former Indian all-rounder said.