Mohammad Kaif believes Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's experience and batting prowess will be crucial for India's success in the Champions Trophy, urging fans to trust their ability to bounce back from recent struggles and deliver on the big stage.

Besides Kohli, former India captain Sourav Ganguly also defended current Test and ODI skipper Rohit Sharma while backing the Men in Blue to put their disastrous run in Tests behind them and win the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.

The BCCI has made playing domestic cricket mandatory for its contracted cricketers unless there is a fitness issue following the series loss in Australia earlier this month.

Rohit Sharma will turn up for Mumbai against Jammu & Kashmir in the penultimate round of Ranji Trophy group league games.

Virat Kohli last played a Ranji trophy match against Uttar Pradesh in 2012. He is now set to play in the premier domestic tournament after more than 12 years. Kohli has made himself available for Delhi's game against Railways.

The India squad for the Champions Trophy came out on January 18. The tournament begins on February 19 and India’s opening game against Bangladesh is on February 20. While other teams shall play in Pakistan,

India will refine their preparations for the Champions Trophy with a three-match ODI series against England, beginning on February 6 in Nagpur. The two teams are placed in separate groups for the Champions Trophy,