‘You won’t get a better opener than Rohit Sharma’ – Former Pakistan legendary player dishes out strong statement on India’s transition after World Cup 2023 loss

Following an ODI World Cup, Team India is on the brink of a transition phase. While it will take time for fans and players to recover from the final’s heartbreak, selectors must promptly consider the future. Reports indicate that Head Coach Rahul Dravid has opted not to continue. Looking ahead to the next ODI World Cup in 2027, the challenge arises as India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, will be 40, and Virat Kohli will be 39. While the quality of both players is undeniable, the question lingers if they can maintain their peak performance for another four years. The board and selectors face an immediate decision before contemplating the team’s trajectory in the distant future.

The upcoming T20 World Cup is scheduled for June next year, leaving little time for India to shift focus to the shortest format, especially considering they currently lack an official head coach or captain. Although Hardik Pandya has led India in T20Is for the past 12 months, his status as India’s captain for the World Cup in the West Indies and the USA remains unclear officially.

The renowned pair of Rohit and Kohli has not participated in a single T20I since the last World Cup in Australia in 2022. Speculation arises about whether this absence was due to the focus on the ODI World Cup at home. Rohit has subtly hinted at the T20 World Cup being on his mind in recent months. Given his leadership in the recently concluded 50-over edition, there is a fair argument for providing him with one final opportunity to vie for a major trophy.

You won’t get a better opener than Rohit Sharma: Akhtar

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar feels India won’t get a better opener than Rohit and that both he and Kohli have a lot of cricket left in them.  He even proved his worth in the recently concluded World Cup 2023 where the skipper Rohit constantly provided a solid start to the Indian team. Moreover, he even became the first Indian player to score more than 500 runs in two consecutive World Cups.

“If you ask do Rohit and Kohli have cricket left in them? Yes, definitely. Do you get a better opener than Rohit in the world right now? No, you don’t,” he told Zee News.