Former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar has said that Rohit Sharma deserves a spot in the ODI World Cup 2027. After India failed to cross the last hurdle in the 2023 World Cup final against Australia, Rohit has continued playing with an aggressive approach at the top of the order.
Rohit has amassed 11,168 runs in 273 ODI matches at an impressive average of 48.77. The former Indian captain scored 597 runs in 11 matches of the World Cup 2023 at an average of 54.27 and a blistering strike rate of 125.95. The talisman scored three fifties and one century in the ODI showpiece.
Meanwhile, Rohit will be 40 when the next World Cup comes around and he has been removed as ODI captain. However, the Mumbai batter had worked hard on his fitness in the recent past.
“Rohit Sharma wanted to set a different template. When India weren’t able to cross the last step in 50-overs cricket, he took huge responsibility on himself about how he would bat in the first 10 overs. He has done a lot of things for the team’s benefit,” Sanjay Bangar said on Star Sports.
“You want to see exceptional performances from Rohit Sharma because based on the feeling he has conveyed and the interviews we have read, I feel he is still very eager to play till the 2027 World Cup, and if he retains his form and fitness, I feel he deserves a place fully,” he added.
On the other hand, the former Indian all-rounder reckons Rohit will look to play with the same attacking template in the upcoming ODIs against Australia.
“He will try to play in the same style only because the next World Cup is in South Africa. The Indian team have an opportunity here because they won’t get many chances to play in those kinds of conditions. You will see these pacy and bouncy pitches even in South Africa,” he said.
Bangar added that the veteran duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will look to guide young skipper Shubman Gill on the right path.
“He will want to make a strong start here because of the stature he has and the way he can contribute. He has a massive role not only as a batter, but also how a former captain makes a young captain comfortable. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will have to give that space to Shubman Gill so that he starts his ODI career as captain as he has done in Tests,” Bangar observed.
The first ODI between India and Australia will be played at Perth on Sunday.
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