Shikhar Dhawan recently discussed the tremendous assistance he had from MS Dhoni during his professional career.  He thanked Dhoni for helping him and Rohit Sharma, emphasising how the former skipper's guidance influenced their professional paths.

"Dhoni bhai supported and backed me a lot. He also backed Rohit. His guidance helped us."

- Dhawan !! ❤pic.twitter.com/ZssP7uzWxZ

— ` (@WorshipDhoni) February 21, 2025

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Dhoni, who is renowned for his calm leadership, always saw talent and gave players the courage to succeed.  He made a brilliant move by elevating Rohit Sharma to the position of opener, while Dhawan himself profited from Dhoni's confidence at pivotal times.
This illustrates why a lot of players from Dhoni's time still credit him with helping them succeed.  As a captain, he stood out for his ability to develop and encourage teammates in addition to his strategic leadership.

India asserted strong dominance over the match, leaving Bangladesh at 39/5 in 10 overs. Mohammed Shami, Harshit Rana, and Axar Patel have put Bangladesh's opening batsmen out of action. The Men in Blue's aggressive bowling performance has kept Bangladesh from finding any rhythm. The most discussed incident of the match so far was in the ninth over when Axar Patel was just one wicket short of a hat-trick.

What Could Have Happen:

If Axar Patel gets his hat trick, then:

A rare miss, a costly moment!

📸: JioHotstar pic.twitter.com/xyF3EsQT1N

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) February 20, 2025

ALSO SEE:  Md Shami Creates History with a New Bowling Record

Rohit allows a sitter to prevent Axar Patel's hat trick
Having dismissed Tanzid Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim in successive deliveries, the left-arm spinner had an opportunity to produce a rare Champions Trophy hat-trick. His next ball hit the edge of the bat of Jaker Ali, but Rohit Sharma at slip dropped a simple catch, allowing the batter off the hook.
Axar Patel's hat-trick fantasy was crushed by Rohit's expensive miss, leaving the Indian spinner visibly upset. A hat-trick would have been a tournament history moment, but the chance went away from India's hands. Still, Axar has been deadly with the ball, keeping Bangladesh under pressure.

Hardik Pandya, Mumbai Indians (MI) captain, not playing his first match of IPL 2025 against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Chepauk on March 23. The IPL schedule was recently announced, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)  playing against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the opening game of IPL 2025.

Will Rohit Sharma Captain MI Against CSK? Hardik Pandya Suspended for IPL 2025 Opener

Hardik's suspension is due to a slow over-rate offence from IPL 2024. During MI’s last league match against Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL 2024, the team took too long to complete their overs. Since it was their third offence of the season, Hardik was fined ₹30 lakh and banned for one match, which carries over to IPL 2025 first match against RCB.

Hardik Pandya to miss MI’s IPL 2025 opener vs CSK due to a one-match ban for repeated over-rate offences last season. pic.twitter.com/s7Mg8ayVW6

— Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952) February 16, 2025

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With Hardik unavailable, MI needs a stand-in captain for their first game. Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah are possible choices. Rohit, who led MI to five IPL titles, was replaced by Hardik as captain ahead of IPL 2024. The decision wasn’t well received by fans, and MI ended up finishing last in the tournament. moving from past, MI will be focused on making a fresh start and aiming for their sixth IPL title. Hardik will return to lead the team in their second match against Gujarat Titans on March 29.

MI full squad:

Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, Tilak Varma, Trent Boult, Naman Dhir, Robin Minz, Karn Sharma Ryan Rickelton, Deepak Chahar, Allah Ghazanfar, Will Jacks, Ashwani Kumar, Mitchell Santner, Reece Topley, Krishnan Shrijith, Raj Angad Bawa, Satyanarayana Raju, Bevon Jacobs, Arjun Tendulkar, Lizaad Williams, Vignesh Puthur.

Mumbai Indians (MI), the five-time IPL champions, are Preparing for the 2025 season with a solid squad and some exciting new players in the squad. Let’s look at their top picks, full team, and upcoming matches schedule.

ALSO READ: Aakash Chopra’s Predicted Pakistan Playing XI for 2025 Champions Trophy

MI’s Top Buys at IPL 2025 Auction

Mumbai Indians(MI) Full Squad for IPL 2025

Mumbai Indians(MI) IPL 2025 Schedule

March 23: CSK vs MI at Chennai (19:30 IST)

March 29: GT vs MI at Ahmedabad (19:30 IST)

March 31: MI vs KKR at Mumbai (19:30 IST)

April 4: LSG vs MI at Lucknow (19:30 IST)

April 7: MI vs RCB at Mumbai (19:30 IST)

April 13: DC vs MI at Delhi (19:30 IST)

April 17: MI vs SRH at Mumbai (19:30 IST)

April 20: MI vs CSK at Mumbai (19:30 IST)

April 23: SRH vs MI at Hyderabad (19:30 IST)

April 27: MI vs LSG at Mumbai (15:30 IST)May 1: RR vs MI at Jaipur (19:30 IST)

May 6: MI vs GT at Mumbai (19:30 IST)

May 11: PBKS vs MI at Dharamsala (15:30 IST)

May 15: MI vs DC at Mumbai (15:30 IST)

The BCCI is ready to move on from Rohit Sharma in Test cricket, Jasprit Bumrah expected to be the next captain. One of the main reasons India didn’t want to risk Bumrah for the 2025 Champions Trophy was to protect his fitness for the long time, and to see as a great Captain.

According to reports, the National Cricket Academy (NCA), led by Nitin Patel, left the final decision on Bumrah’s selection to chief selector Ajit Agarkar. While his medical reports were clear, he hadn’t started bowling at full intensity. With the tournament just a week away, the selectors decided it was better not to select him for the ICC Champions Trophy. But this decision wasn’t just about keeping him fit as a bowler. The BCCI has almost finalized him as India’s next Test captain, with his leadership  and skills expected to begin during the England tour in June-July this year.

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Rohit Sharma Likely to Be Dropped from Tests, Jasprit Bumrah Set to Take Over as Captain

Bumrah has already led India in three Tests, when Rohit was unavailable. His first time as captain was in 2022, during the fifth Test against England in Birmingham, where India lost in that match. He then captained India in Perth last year, leading the team to a win against Australia when Rohit was away for the birth of his second child. He also led in the final Test in Sydney, after Rohit surprisingly dropped himself. Unfortunately, Bumrah got injured after bowling just 10 overs, and India lost the match.

Rohit Sharma will not be picked for Tests again, BCCI convinced about new India captain (PTI) pic.twitter.com/8mUQMeePUy

— Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952) February 15, 2025

Meanwhile, Rohit’s Test form has gone down. In 2024, he averaged below 25 and struggled with too many low scores. Since winning the T20 World Cup, his Test performances have not good, scoring just 164 runs at an average of 10.9 in his last eight matches. To make things worse, India lost all six Tests under his captaincy from late 2024 to early 2025, including a shocking home whitewash against New Zealand and three defeats in Australia. His performances in Australia 2, 52, 0, 8, 18, 11, 3, 6, 10, and 3 only added to the concerns to change the Captaincy.

Rohit has said he has no plans to retire from any format, but it looks like the selectors have already spoken to him about the future. He will turn 38 in April, and by the next World Test Championship final, he will be 40. The selectors believe it’s the right time to find a new captain. With Bumrah being good and his skills and peformances shows that he will the next captain for the team india , India’s Test team is set for a big change in leadership after the ICC Champions Trophy.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will have an exciting match between India and Pakistan on February 23 in Dubai. The final team line ups will be announced yet, but cricket experts have predicted the possible playing XIs for both teams.

India's Probable Playing XI:

Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina believes that having a strong spin attack will be crucial. He feels that Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav can play a key role in putting pressure on the opposition, especially in Dubai’s conditions.

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Pakistan's Probable Playing XI:

Pakistan, the defending champions, have a strong team with a mix of experienced players and young talent. Their fast bowling attack,  Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf, is expected to be one of their biggest strengths in the ICC Champions Trophy. The India vs Pakistan match in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is expected to be a thrilling match. India has a strong batting lineup and skilled spinners, while Pakistan's fast bowlers make their team equally dangerous. Both teams will be looking to win, making it an exciting big rivarly match for cricket fans.

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma was spotted at a wedding in Bangalore recently. @rushiii_12  posted a tweet on February 14, 2025, where he is seen in Indian wear, socializing with the invitees.

Fans are thrilled to catch a glimpse of their beloved cricketer at a private function. While it is not known whose wedding he went to, social media is abuzz with photos and videos of him having a good time.

Captain Rohit Sharma spotted in Bangalore for marriage function.❤️📸 pic.twitter.com/6PLC04MAsU

— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) February 14, 2025

In 2023, Rohit danced with his wife Ritika Sajdeh at his Brother-in-law wedding and his dance goes viral in the internet.

There's no word from official sources about his visit, but his attendance at any function always makes news. Fans would love to hear whether any other teammates or celebrities accompanied him. Till then, they are pleased to see Rohit Sharma relaxing during his cricket calendar.

Rohit Sharma said he needed "to be smart" and "open up all sides of the field" to counter the strong breeze at the Daren Sammy Stadium in a Super Eight game of the T20 World Cup 2024 against an Australia bowling attack that tried to use that same breeze to make life difficult for him. He was smart enough on the day, hitting a 41-ball 92 with seven fours and eight sixes to lead India to a 24-run win and a spot in the semi-finals as the Group 1 toppers.

Rohit Sharma  92 vs Australia
T20 World Cup Super Eight, Gros Islet
Rohit's ultra-aggressive approach brought him great success during the 2023 ODI World Cup, but he wasn't able to replicate it at the T20 World Cup. Then came the match against Australia. In a high-stakes contest, he smashed 92 off 41 to seal India's semi-final spot. As long as he was at the crease, it was a one-man show. Of India's first 52 runs, 50 came from Rohit's bat alone. He hit Mitchell Starc for four sixes and a four in one over before depositing a Pat Cummins slower ball on the roof of the stadium. In all, he hit seven fours and eight sixes and paved the way for a 200-plus total.

ESPN Cricinfo picks Rohit Sharma's 92 vs Australia as the best batting performance of the year 2024 in Men's T20I. 🔥

- The Hitman magic....!!!! pic.twitter.com/3soU1mjRuW

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 13, 2025

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Rohit Performance against Australia :

Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has praised Rohit Sharma's Selfless knocks for the team. He believes Sharma’s selfless approach is a sign of great leadership and shows his commitment to India's success. Ashwin also shared that he understands the struggles Sharma goes through when things don’t go his way. He said that he prays for Sharma to score a century in a series and hopes he gets the recognition he deserves in the ICC Champions Trophy.

Ravichandran Ashwin Praises Rohit Sharma’s Selfless Nature

This statement will give a sleepless night to under 18 fans 🤣

Selfless nation is back 🐐
pic.twitter.com/OYEPOZjhGK

— 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐮 (@Ro_45stan) February 13, 2025

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Speaking about the criticism Sharma faces, Ashwin said that while it can be frustrating, he is confident that the Indian captain will bounce back in the Champions Trophy.Sharma doesn't go for own achievements,he played selfless knocks for the team. Ashwin , calling him a “true OG and legend.” As India prepares for the Champions Trophy, Sharma’s captaincy and determination will be key for the Indian team. With the support of his teammates and fans, he will be looking ahed for the winning of ICC Champions Trophy.

On Saturday, January 18, BCCI released the updated squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which starts on February 19. A big surprise was the exclusion of Mohammed Siraj, as India chose Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, and Arshdeep Singh as their main fast bowlers, with Hardik Pandya as the only pace-bowling all-rounder.

India's Probable XI for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(Wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana

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India squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill (Vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.