Is it right not to select Rohit Sharma for the World Cup? (Photo- PTI)
Rohit Sharma: There is a lot of speculation these days about the international career of Indian cricket legend Rohit Sharma. There were many rumors on social media regarding his retirement amid the ongoing ODI series against England, however, BCCI has rejected these reports. Despite this, the biggest suspense remains whether Rohit Sharma will be a part of the Indian team in the ODI World Cup to be held in the year 2027 or not? But the biggest question is that why is the idea of not taking Rohit Sharma to the 2027 World Cup being considered and if this happens, will this decision be right?
Is it right not to select Rohit Sharma for the World Cup?
It is worth noting that after the Champions Trophy in the year 2025, Rohit Sharma was also removed from the captaincy of the ODI team. After this shocking decision of the board, there were indications that the selectors are now thinking ahead of Rohit and it will be very difficult for him to retain his place in the team till the 2027 World Cup. At the same time, now his poor performance has also put his place in danger.
Very poor performance in the current year
Rohit Sharma’s bat has been completely silent in ODI cricket this year. In the 8 ODI matches played this year, he has been able to score only 241 runs at a poor average of 30.12, which includes only one half-century. Before the England series, he had also flopped against Afghanistan. At the same time, after scoring 11 runs in the first match of the current series against England, he could score only 26 runs in 47 balls in the second ODI played in Cardiff.
South Africa’s poor record is the biggest reason
The 2027 ODI World Cup is to be played jointly by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. But Rohit Sharma’s record on South African pitches has been quite shameful. Rohit has played 14 ODI matches so far in South Africa, in which he has scored only 256 runs at a poor average of 19.69 and a slow strike rate of 68.44. During this period, he has scored 1 century from his bat.
He last toured South Africa in the year 2018, where he scored 170 runs in 6 ODI matches. On this tour itself, he played a century inning of 115 runs, that is, if that one innings is removed, then in the remaining matches he was seen struggling to score runs. In such a situation, his history on the bouncy pitches of South Africa can prove to be a big risk for Team India.
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s storm becomes a big threat
The explosive form of 24 year old young batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal has also emerged as the biggest threat to Rohit Sharma’s career. Jaiswal started his ODI career against England in the year 2025. So far, he has played a total of 6 ODI matches in his career, in which he has scored 285 runs at an unmatched average of 71.25. In this short journey, he has also scored 2 brilliant centuries. He played his last ODI match recently against Afghanistan, where he scored an unbeaten century of 110 runs.
This performance of Jaiswal is also forcing the selectors to prepare him as a future regular opener along with Shubman Gill. With this, Team India will also get an excellent right and left combination in the opening, which can prove to be a game-changer for India in the 2027 World Cup.
