Former India batter Ajinkya Rahane, who recently announced his retirement from international cricket and IPL, said that it is important to give Rohit Sharma clarity regarding the upcoming ODI World Cup 2027. Last week, Rahane posted an emotional video, confirming that he has decided to move on, bringing his remarkable 20-year-long career to an end. While the cricketer has now joined the Amsterdam Flames for the inaugural season of the ETPL T20, he has bid adieu to international cricket and the Indian Premier League. 

Rahane recently appeared in an interview with the Indian Express, where he talked about a lot of aspects, including the former skipper Rohit Sharma’s future with respect to the upcoming ODI World Cup. Rahane opined that it is important to give Sharma clarity and tell him that he will play the upcoming marquee tournament. “I think it’s important to tell Rohit Sharma that he’s going to play the 2027 World Cup," Rahane stated. 

“If you see his contribution throughout so many years, it’s been amazing. So you need the experience of such a player in the World Cup—that discussion shouldn’t even happen. If you say once, ‘Rohit Sharma, you’re going to play,’ that’s it. You can’t go series by series because he’s such a big player," he went on to say. 

Ajinkya Rahane Backs Sharma for ODI World Cup 2027; Says Such Experience in Needed 

The former Mumbai cricketer firmly backed the former India skipper and said that it is necessary to have such experienced players in the team. Moreover, he also went on to say that a player performs differently with a free mind, indirectly targeting the uncertainty and rumours about Sharma’s selection in the 2027 tournament. He said, “If you treat a big player like that—because as I said, it’s about rhythm.” 

“Cricket is about rhythm. No matter how many matches you’ve played, if you’re a youngster or an experienced player in the team, it’s about rhythm. If your mind is free, you can play with that mindset. So about Rohit’s quality—there’s no need to even speak. Such experience is needed in the team, so this debate shouldn’t even happen with team management and the captain. Agar unko khelna hai 2027 World Cup, toh unko khelna hai. (If he wants to play in the 2027 World Cup, then he should play.),” Sharma’s former teammate added. 

The 38-year-old went on to say that while Sharma’s performance might fluctuate, his intensity and attitude would never be doubtful. Moreover, he also said that both Virat Kohli and Sharma should be backed up and told, ‘we are with you,’ so that they continue the momentum they showed in England.