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Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has shared his views on one of the most discussed topics in the current cricketing world: whether Rohit Sharma will be featuring in the ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. There has been no seal or confirmation on Rohit’s participation in next year’s major event.
Rohit Sharma had a good series against England as the fans got he glimpses of old Rohit, who used to take his time and then score daddy hundreds. In a run chase of 388 runs, Rohit Sharma stepped up big for the India National Cricket Team as he scored a brilliant hundred, though India lost the match.
Mohammad Kaif seeks clarity over Rohit Sharma's future
While speaking on his YouTube channel, Mohammad Kaif stated that Rohit's ODI future can only be resolved by a confirmation from the team management or the selectors. He feels that Team India captain Shubman Gill should be backing the 39-year-old batter publicly that the opener is in the plans for the Men in Blue side for the 2027 World Cup.
"I think it will be a 'wait and watch' case. There is a lot of confusion, but that clarity has to come. Gill must come out in the press and give a statement that I want Rohit for the World Cup. A captain is always there when the team is made. Selectors may not know as much as players know about each other's game.
"He will have to convince the coach"- Mohammad Kaif on Shubman Gill's role to back Rohit Sharma
Kaif, while speaking, used the example of former India captain Sourav Ganguly, who used to back his players, and also referred to Rohit also backing his players and standing by his players during poor form as a captain, as the captain has to convince the selectors and coaches to push the player forward.
"He will have to convince the coach and selectors and make such calls. Sehwag and Yuvraj were not scoring. Ganguly always used to stand by them and said that they would come back. Dhoni has backed players. Rohit has backed players himself. A captain has to stand by the players," he said in a video on his YouTube channel.
"Gill's respect as captain will also go up"- Mohammad Kaif on Shubman Gill's reputation
Mohammad Kaif also feels that if Gill backs Rohit Sharma openly, it will have some transparency and clarity inside the team. This will help Gill as a captain, and the fans will also back him for being open and straightforward when things are not going his way. It will also remove unnecessary talk, and Gill will have the dressing room's trust and ultimately benefit the team.
"By doing this, you will bring transparency within the team, and Gill's respect as captain will also go up. He will gain the image that he is straightforward when things are going back and forth. Everybody is watching everything. You cannot hide, and you need to get this clarity. If no one else is giving this clarity, then the captain has to do this. This will only make the team better," he added.
