Former Indian spinner Maninder Singh has raised concern regarding Rohit Sharma’s place in the ODI team ahead of the next year’s World Cup. Singh is optimistic about Virat Kohli’s place in the team as he works hard on his fitness but said Rohit’s form goes up and down like a wave.

Rohit recently played in the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan and returned with scores of 16, 48, and 79. The veteran batter scored 283 runs in nine IPL 2026 matches for Mumbai Indians.

Rohit has all the experience under his belt and there is no doubt that he is going to hold the key for India in the ODI showpiece.

Maninder Singh said on ANI, “As far as Virat Kohli is concerned, his fitness level is very high. And Rohit is also working in that direction. But there’s still time for the World Cup and we wonder if they will be able to catch form by then, maintain form until then, and this is a matter of worry. I am not so worried about Virat Kohli because he works so much on his fitness. There is a bit of worry sometimes for Rohit because his performance goes up and down. So worries will be there because there is time for the World Cup.”

Singh added that talismanic duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma wins matches for India when they get going.

“They are champions and you become that only when you are mentally strong. Mental strength is very important in international cricket. Let’s see how they perform in the coming time. Let us hope they perform well because they are both such match-winners and impact players, that, when they get going, they win matches for their team,” said Maninder Singh (via the aforementioned source).

Rohit and Virat will be seen in the upcoming three-match ODI series against England, with the latter’s participation subject to fitness clearance.