New Delhi. Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has called it 'unfortunate' that the Indian team could not go to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. Watson also said that this ICC tournament will give star batsmen like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma a chance to recover from their long-standing poor form. The ICC has approved the Champions Trophy to be held in a 'hybrid' model. In which all the matches of the Indian team will be played in Dubai. Watson told the media during the Champions Trophy tour here, 'It is unfortunate that such circumstances have arisen. But there is no doubt that everyone waits for India-Pakistan matches. Whenever they play against each other, it is special.'

According to Shane Watson, 'It is unfortunate that the Indian team is not going to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy but what can be done about it.' Watson said that the Champions Trophy is a good way to bridge the four-year gap between two ODI World Cups. He said, 'The Champions Trophy is an important tournament in world cricket because the ODI World Cup takes place once in four years. It reduces that wait. It is important to keep giving such energy to ODI cricket because it is the best format. This creates a balance between Test cricket and T20.'

'We never want to lose ODI'
Watson said, 'We never want to lose ODI cricket but it is also important to keep it relevant and that is why Champions Trophy is important. Only eight teams play in it and every ball is important. You have to play well consistently or else you will be out like the Australian team in 2013.' India won the 2013 Champions Trophy and Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were part of that team. Both are struggling with poor form at the moment but Watson said that it is not a matter of concern.

'Kohli is the king of ODI cricket'
Shane Watson said, 'I don't think the current bad phase will have any effect on the influence of Virat and Rohit in ODI cricket. The situation will be different in Dubai and they will be able to play freely in ODIs. Kohli is the king of ODI cricket. Although he is the best player in every format, but he is different in ODIs. Rohit will be in his best form in the Champions Trophy, which we saw in the ODI World Cup (2023). He could not repeat it in Test cricket in Australia, but he will play freely in ODIs. In such a situation, we will be able to see the best performance of Rohit Sharma.