As always, great expectations from Rohit

It was, perhaps, unnecessary that Shubman Gill, the vice-captain of Team India, spoke of no discussion on the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli on Saturday.

- S KANNAN

NEW DELHI:

The mandatory press conference on the eve of the Champions Trophy final in Dubai has led to great expectations.

Nine months ago, when Rohit Sharma grabbed the ICC T20 World Cup in the West Indies, the celebrations were berserk.

Obviously, cricket lovers expect more in the form of another trophy in the ODI format.

Is it a realistic expectation? Nobody knows.

Such has been the performance from the Men in Blue in Dubai, there is hope and hype.

If it is batting, Gill, who spoke on Saturday, should be worried about his own form.

The same holds true for Rohit as well.

As opener, Rohit does come in and scores 15 to 20 runs at a fast clip.

But this is the ODI format and to expect a half-century from him would be in order.

If someone says the focus on Sunday will be on Rohit, it is not wrong.