"Rohit Sharma doesn't fit"- Sanjay Manjrekar stirs fresh controversy amid 2027 World Cup debate
Published - 05 Sep 2025, 11:40 AM | Updated - 05 Sep 2025, 11:50 AM
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Former Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has sparked a fresh storm by leaving Rohit Sharma out of the list of India’s all-time batting legends. Manjrekar felt Rohit Sharma has not done enough to be counted among the Indian greats like Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Virat Kohli.
He believes that Rohit failed to make any impact in Test cricket, and that’s why he is not considering the Hitman among his all-time Indian greats. Notably, Rohit retired from Test cricket earlier this year in May with 4301 runs in 67 matches with 12 centuries and 18 fifties to his name.
Sanjay Manjrekar hails Rohit Sharma’s white-ball legacy but questions his place among all-time greats
Sanjay Manjrekar said on Doordarshan Sports: “Rohit Sharma doesn't fit in with the all-time great Indian batters. Because you are talking about Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Virat Kohli. Rohit doesn't fit in it.”
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However, the cricket pandit has pointed out that the story changes completely in white-ball cricket. Manjrekar mentioned that Rohit’s fearless approach in ODIs, his unmatched ability to dominate attacks, and his leadership qualities etched a special place in white-ball history.
Even during India’s heartbreaking 2023 World Cup loss, Rohit’s selfless batting earned him immense admiration from fans across the globe. The former Indian batter further noted, “But if it's just about one-day cricket, or about selflessness, or about captaining, then you have to mention Rohit Sharma. And I have seen that in 2023, we lost the World Cup.”
Rohit Sharma doesn't fit in it: Sanjay Manjrekar
Further praising Rohit for his domination in the white-ball cricket, especially ODIs, the commentator said, “But the love that people had for him has gone to a different level. Only because people saw that he wasn't thinking about himself.
And he was almost sacrificing himself so that others could get an advantage from him. So, this was his specialty. And in 50 Overs Cricket and Limited Overs Cricket, the easy domination—I mean, he made almost 300. And it was very pleasing to watch.”
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However, Manjrekar feels Rohit’s name doesn’t sit alongside the giants of Indian batting, as the all-time greats are usually considered based on the players’ Test cricket dominance. He signed off by saying, “But when we are talking about all-time Indian batting greats, Test Cricket has more impact there. And I don't think Rohit made a big impact there. He doesn't fit in it.”
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Rohit Sharma's future beyond the Australia tour is in doubt
Meanwhile, Rohit’s comeback to ODI cricket is set to dominate headlines once again as he gears up for India’s upcoming white-ball tour of Australia. After bidding farewell to T20Is and Test cricket, the Hitman now returns to the format where he has built an iconic legacy, but questions over his long-term future have intensified.
Several media reports suggest that this might not be a fairytale return, as the current Indian team management is considering moving on from Rohit after the Australia tour. With the next ICC World Cup 2027 still two years away, they want to build a fresh core for the tournament.
The seasoned opener was last seen in the Indian colors in March when he led the side to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in the UAE.
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