Fri Feb 21 03:55:47 UTC 2025: ## India Wins Champions Trophy Opener, but Kohli’s Form Raises Concerns

**NEW DELHI** – India began its ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a convincing victory over Bangladesh, but questions remain about the form of veteran players Virat Kohli and the team’s transition plan. While Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill provided a strong opening partnership, Kohli’s relatively subdued performance (22 runs off 38 balls) has reignited debate surrounding his place in the team.

Former India coach Anil Kumble, speaking on ESPNcricinfo, urged current coach Gautam Gambhir to make decisive calls regarding the team’s transition from senior players to a younger generation. Kumble emphasized that the Champions Trophy serves as a crucial opportunity for Gambhir to assess the team’s future, particularly in the lead-up to the 2027 ODI World Cup.

“This tournament could determine where those seniors would go, and where India would look at making those changes,” Kumble stated. He stressed the importance of building a cohesive squad with ample match experience ahead of the next World Cup, suggesting that Gambhir needs to begin identifying core players now, regardless of the Champions Trophy outcome.

Kumble highlighted the need for Gambhir to start building a strong unit for the future, particularly in the context of the upcoming World Cup. He praised Gambhir’s success in the T20I format, pointing to Suryakumar Yadav’s strong captaincy as a positive sign. However, he underscored that consistent playing time for the emerging players is essential to build understanding and cohesiveness within the team. The Champions Trophy, Kumble concluded, marks a critical juncture for India to determine its long-term direction in ODI cricket.

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