India ODI opener Rohit Sharma will be in action again soon, as the team begins their ODI series against Ireland soon enough, from July 14. In the last IND vs AFG series, the veteran batter had shown signs of return to form, where he scored 79 in the last match. Overall in the three-match series, he went on to score 143 at an average of 47.67. A discussion has already started again, if the 39-year-old should be part of the side for the World Cup 2027 or not.
Sanjay Manjrekar in favour of youngster for World Cup 2027
And if one was to take the opinion of former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar, his choice would be a young batter, instead of Rohit, which perhaps would be best for the side. “I mean this will become controversial. But I think I should not care; I have not cared for all these years. We are in mid-2026, and that World Cup is in late 2027. I think India have options.
“Virat Kohli, with his sheer fitness, is making a strong case. But what happens here is when we select, we are thinking Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma. We should think about what is best for Indian cricket,” Sanjay Manjrekar said on Sony Sports.
Think about Team India & not Rohit Sharma
Manjrekar’s mantra is simple, as far as the selection of players for the World Cup is concerned. For him, a player who still has 5-10 years in him, should be selected. “Opening in 50 overs is fun. It is a rehabilitation programme. That, I think, you should give to a player who is in his prime and has got another 5-10 years.
“If you are thinking only about Rohit Sharma, it’s not right. You have to think about Indian cricket, the future of Indian cricket. In that space, I don’t think Rohit Sharma would be my choice in the squad.”
Meanwhile, this would be the series where Virat Kohli marks his return, after missing the one against Afghanistan. But his participation is subject to fitness clearance, after a hamstring injury. The series would also see Jasprit Bumrah in India colours once again.
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