The future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in international cricket has become one of the most discussed issues among the fans and the professionals. India recently announced its ODI team to the Australian series, which will be held between October 19, and Rohit will be substituted by Shubman Gill as the team leader. This move has raised controversy in the decision of whether the two senior players are on the verge of the international journeys.
Although both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been included as specialist batters, their long-term roles remain uncertain with the 2027 ODI World Cup still a few years away. Many feel that this Australian tour might be their last major assignment for Team India, given the board’s shift toward building a younger core for the future.
Chief selector of BCCI Ajit Agarkar has stated that every player should play domestic cricket in order to be in the reckoning of being selected to the national team. With the warnings about Agarkar, the former England cricketer Steve Harmison cautioned that the cricketer could turn out to be a scapegoat when he pressurizes senior players such as Rohit and Kohli too much. Harmison however also added that in case Agarkar intended to re-motivate them, then he could be forgiven in his approach.
“Unfortunately I think there might be a messy end for Ajit Agarkar there. If anybody is going to win here I think it is the former captains rather than the former all-rounder. But it all depends on, if Agarkar is saying this, just to fuel the fire of Kohli and Sharma, then fair enough. You put your cards on the table and see what comes,” he said on talkSPORT Cricket.
“Not as Influential as Virat” – Steve Harmison’s Honest Take on Rohit Sharma’s ODI Impact
Harmison has commented that Rohit has not played as influential roles in ODI cricket as Kohli has. The former professional in cricket also stated that Rohit was a little older than Kohli. Harmison is of the view that without the Delhi batter in the 2027 world cup, India will not fare in terms of run-chasing.
“I think Kohli has got a little bit of skin in the game. Runs in the bank, his reputation. Sharma, not as much. Sharma’s a little bit older. He’s not been as influential in 50-over cricket as Virat has. If Virat turns around and says, “All right, you go to the 50-over World Cup without me and leading up to it, let’s see when you’re chasing 350 in 50 overs to win against Australia or England, and you haven’t got that bloke who averages 90 winning games at number four, see where your teams at”. There could be a messy end in that way. There could also be words that have been misunderstood in translation.”
Steve Harmison
