In the ongoing debate about the future of Indian cricket, former captain and chief selector Kris Srikkanth has stirred controversy with his latest remarks on the participation of veteran players in the 2027 ODI World Cup. His comments come in response to recent statements by Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach of the Indian cricket team.
During his first press conference as head coach on July 22, 2024, Gambhir expressed optimism about the potential continued contributions of Indian cricket stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Gambhir stated, “They have shown what they can deliver on the big stage. Whether it is the T20 World Cup or the ODI World Cup, I think both of them have a lot more cricket left in them. We’ve got the Champions Trophy and a tour of Australia, so they will be motivated. If they keep their fitness, then even the 2027 World Cup.”
This optimistic outlook was quickly met with skepticism from Srikkanth, who shared his views during a discussion with his son Anirudha on his YouTube channel. Srikkanth agreed with Gambhir’s assessment of Kohli’s potential but was less hopeful about Rohit’s chances. He asserted, “He (Rohit) is a good player, but his age is 37 presently, and the next ODI World Cup is three more years ahead. He will be 40 years old then. You can’t play the World Cup at 40s.”
Srikkanth further emphasized his point by adding, “Yeah, Virat Kohli could play in the 2027 World Cup, in my opinion, for sure. But for Rohit, Mr. Gambhir, you went overboard; he will faint in South Africa.” His blunt assessment highlights the physical demands and challenges that come with competing at the highest level of cricket as players approach their 40s.
Rohit Sharma, who led India to victory in the T20 World Cup 2024, has recently announced his retirement from T20Is. Despite this, he is set to return for the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka, starting August 2, 2024. Rohit has previously expressed his desire to win an ODI World Cup for India, making Srikkanth’s comments all the more provocative.
Srikkanth’s critique underscores the intense scrutiny and debate surrounding the future of Indian cricket’s senior players. As the cricketing world watches closely, the discussion continues about how age and fitness will impact the careers of players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as they look ahead to future World Cups.
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