The Indian cricket team landed in Dubai on Saturday, gearing up for the much-anticipated ICC Champions Trophy, which is set to begin on February 18. This tournament marks India’s bid to reclaim the prestigious title, having last won it under MS Dhoni’s leadership in 2013. With renewed hopes and a strong squad, the players and support staff arrived together, adhering to the BCCI’s directive to travel as a unit before heading to their team hotel.
Rohit Sharma, dressed in a white T-shirt and black tracks, was among the first to arrive at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. Fans gathered outside greeted him with chants of “Rohit bhai” and “Rohit sir.” The excitement continued as Virat Kohli, along with head coach Gautam Gambhir and vice-captain Shubman Gill, joined the team before boarding the afternoon flight to Dubai. Many players took time to interact with fans, signing autographs and waving to their supporters.
A Jasprit Bumrah-less Indian side will begin their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai. The highly anticipated clash against Pakistan is scheduled for February 23, while India’s final league match will be against New Zealand on March 2. The team’s confidence is high following their recent 3-0 ODI series victory over England at home, and fans are hopeful for another triumphant campaign, much like their T20 World Cup win last year.
For veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the Champions Trophy could be a defining moment. Both players have faced criticism for their recent Test performances but answered back with strong ODI innings against England—Rohit’s fluent 119 in Cuttack and Kohli’s 73rd half-century in Ahmedabad. However, their long-term future in Indian cricket could depend on a strong showing in Dubai.
With the World Test Championship cycle set to begin in June and preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup underway, selectors will be closely watching their performances. Kohli is just 37 runs away from becoming only the third batter in ODI history to cross 14,000 runs, while Rohit needs 12 more runs to become the 10th player to reach 11,000 ODI runs. However, without a trophy, these milestones could feel hollow.
Shubman Gill’s elevation to ODI vice-captain is a sign of India’s trust in the young batter, who averages nearly 61 in the format. With Bumrah out due to injury, bowlers like Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana have a golden opportunity to prove themselves on the international stage. Additionally, Varun Chakravarthy could emerge as a surprise weapon in India’s bowling arsenal.
Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya, who played a crucial role in India’s T20 World Cup victory last year, was seen greeting renowned journalist Vimal Kumar at the airport, saying, “Vimal bhai kaise ho?” The interaction added a light-hearted moment to an otherwise intense departure.
As the tournament inches closer, fans are filled with optimism, hoping that Rohit, Kohli, and the rest of the squad can bring another ICC trophy home.