Former Indian batter Suresh Raina has backed Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s selection for ODI World Cup 2027. Raina reckons having the veteran duo in the team will give India a 90% chance of winning the ODI showpiece.
There have been doubts raised about Rohit’s future but he has been included in the ODI series against the West Indies.
Rohit scored a stunning knock of 138 runs off just 110 balls in the last ODI against England to put all doubts about his future to bed. The veteran batter has performed consistently over the years and has also worked hard on his fitness in recent times.
Virat Kohli, on the other hand, has been a consistent performer for the team over the years and he is also fit as a fiddle.
Suresh Raina said via Rediff.com, “We have a run machine at home, and we have a great captain who has won so many trophies in the IPL and for the country. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli need no introduction because I have played a lot of matches with them. This time, we are playing the World Cup in South Africa and Zimbabwe, and I think having both of them in the team gives us a 90 percent chance of winning the trophy.”
Recently, former Indian fast bowler Chetan Sharma had also batted for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s selection in the World Cup team.
Chetan Sharma said on TOI, “If they are fit and they are getting the runs, then why not? I am asking this question to everyone. I can understand that people are saying a hundred things. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are the ‘Kohinoors’ of Indian cricket. Age is just a number. If they are good, then why not? I myself was a selector. Rohit recently scored a century (138 against England at Lord’s in the third ODI on July 19). Virat, every game he gets one. Then what is the problem?”
“We want players who can win games for us, and they both are capable of doing it. I love watching them when they come and bat for India and they win trophies for us. 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). We should be grateful. We should not listen to other people.”
Rohit and Virat will be seen in action in the ODI series against the West Indies, starting September 27.
