Former India opener and now turned expert, Wasim Jaffer, has opined that Rohit Sharma‘s focus is on the ODI World Cup 2027, though his future will ultimately depend on the decisions of the coaches and selectors. His comments came after India’s first game on the three-match series against Afghanistan, played on Saturday, June 13th, in Dharamsala.
Chasing 195 in a rain-curtailed 25-over game, India won by seven wickets with 13 balls to spare, while Rohit was run out for a run-a-ball 16.
Wasim Jaffer’s thoughts on the future of Rohit Sharma
Speaking on his own YouTube channel named Wasim Jaffer Official, the 48-year-old said that Rohit’s credibility cannot be questioned and that he will leave no stone unturned in his bid to feature in the ODI World Cup 2027.
He said, “I think Rohit Sharma is still playing and has made himself available. So I am sure his focus will be on the 2027 World Cup. From Rohit Sharma’s perspective, I don’t think there is any doubt about that. Now it depends on the coaches and selectors. But I think seeing Rohit Sharma still playing and making himself available since he is currently playing only this format, if he is playing, then I am sure his focus will be on the 2027 World Cup.”Â
He further added, “Rohit’s form is a bit indifferent at the moment, but as I said, we cannot question his credibility because of the experience he brings. Now it depends on what the selectors and coaches think. But Rohit Sharma’s experience and his temperament in big matches cannot be doubted. And if he is making himself available, I am sure he will not leave any stone unturned so that he can play the 2027 World Cup. His effort will be to lift that World Cup trophy, something he missed out on in 2023. So I am sure he is working towards that.”Â
In 283 ODIs, the 39-year-old Rohit has amassed 11,593 runs at an average of 48.71 and a strike rate of 92.75, which includes 61 fifties and 33 hundreds.
Wasim Jaffer on Yashasvi Jaiswal & Kuldeep Yadav getting a chance in this ongoing ODI series
In the same video, Wasim Jaffer stated that if India wins the second ODI against Afghanistan, scheduled for June 17th, and takes an unassailable 2-0 lead, then Yashasvi Jaiswal might be allowed to feature in the dead rubber.
He said, “I think Yashasvi scored a century in the last match in ODIs. So if India wins this series in the next match, I feel, I think it is a three-match series, if I am not wrong. So I feel Yashasvi might get a chance to play there, and he should be given an opportunity because I think we need to prepare a backup as well.”Â
He further stated that Kuldeep Yadav, who was benched in the first game, will also remain in consideration. He said, “Apart from that, I think Kuldeep will also be kept in the loop, that’s how he is doing, because his IPL did not go that well. But I am sure from a bigger perspective, Kuldeep Yadav will definitely be in their plans.”Â
Kuldeep has featured in 120 ODIs, taking 194 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls, with a best of 6/25 against England at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, in 2018.
Rohit would want to bounce back from the first ODI mishap, where he was run out by his captain and play a significant knock. Assuming it will be a full 50-over game, one will hope Rohit gets his mojo back and gets three figures to his name to roar back into form and silence all the outside noise and his detractors wrong. Let’s see how he and the team shape up in Lucknow on Wednesday afternoon.
Also Read:Â IND vs AFG: Ravichandran Ashwin Backs Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma For ODI WC 2027