Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has boldly asserted that Rohit Sharma will play a pivotal role in the 2027 ODI World Cup, even after being relieved of his captaincy. While Shubman Gill has recently taken over as India’s new ODI captain, Kaif firmly believes Rohit’s vast experience makes him an indispensable opener for the national team.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaif emphasized, “He will definitely play, boss. Look, the captaincy may have been taken away from him, but I believe that as an opener, Rohit Sharma will certainly do his job.”
Kaif underscored the critical need for seasoned players, especially when facing challenging conditions in major tournaments like the World Cup, which will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. “You need an experienced batter in the side. You can’t go to South Africa with an entirely young team. Sometimes in those seaming conditions, the ball moves a lot and the pitches are bouncy. If you take only new players there, they’ll get exposed.”
He particularly lauded Rohit’s exceptional skill in handling pace and bounce. “That’s why I feel you need a player who can handle the bounce, who can pull and cut the rising deliveries just like Rohit Sharma does. On those kinds of pitches, I believe Rohit Sharma will perform even better. His batting style as an opener suits such conditions perfectly. He plays the rising ball, the one that bounces from the front, extremely well. Among all the players you can name, Rohit Sharma is the only one who handles that rising delivery so effectively.”
Kaif further stressed the importance of balancing youth with veteran presence in high-stakes competitions. “Just look at his numbers, his years of experience. On a big stage like the World Cup, you need players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, players who have seen the world and experienced ups and downs. In a tournament like the World Cup, you’re going to lose a game or two in between, then you’ll need to make a comeback. You’ll face those do-or-die matches where you must win to reach the quarterfinals or top four. In such crucial situations, the roles of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli become absolutely vital.”