Former Indian batter Kris Srikkanth heaped praise on Rohit Sharma after India registered a comprehensive win of nine wickets at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney on Saturday in the third match of the series. Chasing 237 runs for the win, Rohit scored an unbeaten knock of 121 runs off just 125 balls.
This was Rohit’s 33rd ODI century as he batted at the top of his game and squashed any rumours regarding his ODI future. Rohit scored 13 fours and three sixes in his brilliant knock as he once again delivered for the team. The Indian opener added 168 runs off 169 balls with Virat Kohli to take India over the line.
Rohit has all the experience under his belt and he was able to make the most of it. The right-hander scored 202 runs in three matches of the series at an average of 101 and thus bagged the Player of the series award.
Kris Srikkanth said on his YouTube Channel, “Rohit is a certainty in the 2027 World Cup. We can’t play without him and Virat Kohli. Rohit Sharma has lost 11 Kgs and looks super fit. It was the old Rohit Sharma, with the touch game. He was batting with such ease and playing the ball so late.”
“Don’t bring up this whole age issue that he’s touching 40. He’s fit, batting well and catching brilliantly at slips. What else do you need? He’s playing with such ease like he did in the 2019 World Cup. Only thing is he didn’t get to the seventh or eighth gear and kept going at third and fourth gear.”
The World Cup-winning player added the veteran duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are set for the ODI World Cup and backed the pair to deliver the goods.
“These two only have to win India the 2027 World Cup. If not for RoKo, the other teams will finish us. If I was the chairman of the selection committee, today itself I will go to them and say, ‘Just be fit for the 2027 World Cup and win us the trophy’. They were the biggest takeaways from today’s match. RoKo are set for the 2027 World Cup,” said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).
“So don’t try to intimidate them and instead leave them alone. If anything, it should be in reverse, they should tell them how important both are and ask them to look after themselves for the 2027 World Cup. It should be said that we’ll form the team around you to win the trophy. That’ll be a better thought process.”
Rohit and Kohli will be next seen in action in the three-match ODI series against South Africa.
