Former India batter Ajinkya Rahane has urged chief selector Ajit Agarkar and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to give Rohit Sharma complete clarity over his place in the squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Rahane said that a player of Rohit’s stature should not be judged after every series.
There were questions over Rohit’s ODI future during India’s recent tour of England. Reports claimed the third ODI could be his final international appearance, but the former India captain answered his critics with a superb 138 at Lord’s Cricket Ground. Despite his century, India lost the series 2-1 to England.
Ajinkya Rahane Urges BCCI to Back Rohit Sharma for 2027 World Cup
Ajinkya Rahane believes the BCCI and chief selector Ajit Agarkar should remove uncertainty around Rohit Sharma’s ODI future. Speaking to The Indian Express, Rahane said that the selectors should tell Rohit that he is part of India’s plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
“I think it’s important to tell Rohit Sharma that he’s going to play the 2027 World Cup.”
“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.”
If You Treat a Big Player Like That – Ajinkya Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane also stated that clear communication from the team management is important for a senior player. He said that cricket is a game of rhythm, and a batter performs at his best when he is free from doubts over his place in the side.
“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, whether 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.”
“As for Rohit’s quality, there’s no need to even speak about it. Such experience is needed in the team, so this debate shouldn’t even happen between the team management and the captain. Agar unko khelna hai 2027 World Cup, toh unko khelna hai.”
Rohit Sharma Answered Critics with Lord’s Century
Rohit Sharma’s future became one of the biggest talking points during India’s ODI series in England. Reports suggested the third ODI at Lord’s could be his final international match, as the selectors looked to move towards younger players, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
However, Rohit answered those doubts in style. The former India captain smashed 138 off 110 balls in the series decider to register his 34th ODI century. He also became the first Indian batter to score an ODI hundred at Lord’s. India lost the match by 27 runs as England sealed the series 2-1.
Rohit’s innings reminded everyone of his ability to perform on the biggest stage. Since October 2025, he has scored two centuries of 120-plus and crossed the 70-run mark four times in 15 ODIs. Questions over his place in India’s long-term ODI plans continue.