Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar said that it was very unlikely that current India skipper Rohit Sharma will stick around for the 2027 World Cup. Manjrekar also suggested that the ongoing Champions Trophy might be the last international tournament that Rohit takes part in.
“I have a feeling (that) if he has decided, I mean can Rohit Sharma be there for the 2027 Cricket World Cup? I don’t think so, very unlikely. So, then, this could be, what you are suggesting, could be the final tournament,” said Manjrekar on ESPNcricinfo’s Matchday programme.
“I’m expecting Rohit Sharma to go out there and he should be actually liberated not so much by this being his sort of swansong or whatever, just by the fact that so much of quality batting to come (from him),” added Manjrekar.
Rohit has started the Champions Trophy with a dominant 41 runs against Bangladesh and notched up a 69-run partnership with vice captain Shubman Gill. Before that, he came back to form with a century against England in the recently-concluded ODI series after a tough few months where he struggled for runs in the Australia and new Zealand Test series.
“2023 World Cup (in India) Rohit Sharma’s popularity soared. What they loved about Rohit Sharma is that they saw the captain was selfless, went out there… (he) could have got a hundred but (instead) gave a great flying start to the team and made things easier for the players coming after him,” said Manjrekar.
Rohit will next be in action as India take on Pakistan in the Champions Trophy on Sunday.
