'Come the big game, these guys stand up': Dinesh Karthik lauds Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for their ability to rise to the occasion

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Mar 13, 2025, 22:21 IST

Text Size

Small
Medium
Large

Dinesh Karthik praised Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for their match-winning performances in the ICC Champions Trophy and T20 World Cup finals, despite their prior form. He dismissed rumours of Rohit's retirement, lauding his legacy as a captain. Karthik expressed confidence in Yashasvi Jaiswal and Varun Chakaravarthy, and highlighted Shreyas Iyer's consistency under pressure.

'Come the big game, these guys stand up': Dinesh Karthik lauds Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for their ability to rise to the occasion

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has hailed Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for delivering match-winning performances in the ICC Champions Trophy and T20 World Cup finals respectively, despite their underwhelming form earlier in the tournament. Speaking on Cricbuzz, Karthik praised the veteran duo for their ability to rise to the occasion when it matters 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 channelise those thoughts and use that energy on the field is what makes them special. Come the big game, these guys stand up," Karthik remarked.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
When asked about rumours surrounding Rohit’s retirement, Karthik playfully dismissed the speculation. "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’," he said.

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.

Will Rohit Sharma win 2027 World Cup? Astrologer Lobo predicts after getting Champions Trophy bang on!

Commenting on the future of young talents, Karthik expressed confidence in Yashasvi Jaiswal’s role as an opener and lauded Varun Chakaravarthy’s accuracy in white-ball cricket. "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 concluded by naming Shreyas Iyer as India’s player of the tournament at the Champions Trophy for his consistency under pressure, adding to the joy of India’s back-to-back ICC titles.

Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India, including match schedules, team squads, and live scores for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Find out how to watch IPL 2025 in Canada and the USA.

About the Author

TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

End of Article