Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli both won their second Champions Trophy title.
Despite their lackluster play earlier in the tournament, former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has praised Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for their game-winning performances in the ICC Champions Trophy and T20 World Cup finals, respectively.
Virat Kohli scored a century and an 84 in the semi-final of the Champions Trophy, totaling 218 runs in 5 matches for India. On the other hand, Rohit Sharma was quiet throughout the tournament but scored a match-winning 76 against New Zealand in the final.
Karthik commended the seasoned pair on Cricbuzz for their capacity to step up when it counts most.
"They just know what it takes to do well in big matches. In the lead-up to a game, there are so many thoughts going on. But the way they channel those thoughts and use that energy on the field is what makes them special. Come the big game, these guys stand up," Karthik remarked on Cricbuzz.
When asked about rumors surrounding Rohit’s retirement, Karthik playfully dismissed the speculation.
He said: "It pretty much sums up Rohit Sharma as a person (on India captain’s blunt remark that ‘he is not retiring’ during the post-match press conference at Champions Trophy). Very humorous about it but at the same time sending the message across: ‘Don’t be in a hurry to ask for my retirement. I'll do it when I feel so.”
Karthik also praised Rohit’s legacy as a captain, putting him alongside Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni.
"Rohit Sharma is one of the greatest, no doubt. He’s leaving a serious legacy. Each of them marked a generational change and a mindset shift," he stated.
Speaking about the future of young players, Karthik praised Varun Chakaravarthy's precision in white-ball cricket and voiced trust in Yashasvi Jaiswal's role as an opener.
"Jaiswal is a bonafide opener. When he gets his turn, he’s going to do phenomenally well. As for Varun, his accuracy is his biggest strength, and that will always help him succeed in white-ball cricket," he added.
Karthik continued by recognizing Shreyas Iyer as India's player of the Champions Trophy for his consistency under duress, contributing to India's excitement at winning back-to-back ICC titles.