Rohit Sharma (ANI Photo)
Rohit recently scored a century (138 against England at Lord’s in third ODI on July 19). Sharma, the first bowler to take a hat-trick in ODI World Cup history (in 1987 against New Zealand at Nagpur), confessed that he was a big fan of the superstar batters. Rohit won us a trophy after so many years (when he captained India to their second T20 World Cup triumph, and first in 17 years). Asked specifically if he wished Rohit and Kohli to play in the ODI World Cup next year, Sharma, who played 23 Tests and 65 ODIs from 1984-94, picking up 128 wickets, replied by saying, “If they are fit, they are getting the runs, then why not?
Because of differences on Rohit’s international future, how would Sharma, who was India’s chief selector from Dec 2020-Feb 2023, have handled the situation had he been in Agarkar’s place, considering that presently, Agarkar is apparently not keen to continue. “I won’t go into that.
As I said, if they are fit, they are getting runs for India, then we should be happy,” Sharma asserted. Recently, I saw an article that the BCCI told everyone about domestic cricket. “I can understand that people are saying a hundred things. I have been a cricketer too, so I respect and love them as cricketers. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are the ‘Kohinoors’ of Indian cricket . Age is just a number. If they are good, then why not (can they continue). I myself was a selector. Virat, every game he gets one. Then what is the problem? “I love watching them when they come and bat for India and they win trophies for us. We should be grateful. We should not listen to other people,” Sharma stressed, while talking at an event in Mumbai. I am asking this question to everyone. When I was the chief selector, we made Rohit the captain. We trusted him, that’s why we made him the captain. Virat was always an asset for Indian cricket. We have to respect domestic cricket. So, my dream has come true, and I am really thankful to the BCCI for this. You must play in the Ranji Trophy or first- class cricket if you are fit,” Sharma felt.
We want players who can win games for us, and they both are capable of doing it,” Sharma told TOI on Monday.
India Teams Gear Up for 2026 Asian Games Gold Medal Matches
Sharma expressed confidence in both the Indian women’s and men’s cricket teams, predicting they will secure gold medals at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi Nagoya, Japan. The Indian women’s team is set to face Sri Lanka in the gold medal match on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the men’s team, led by Shreyas Iyer, will begin their campaign in the quarterfinals on September 28.