Yograj Singh backs Rohit Sharma to play till 50; urges BCCI to do away with ‘age factor’ while picking teams

Rohit is set to lead Team India in the upcoming T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA.

Rohit Sharma celebrated his 37th birthday last month. In all probability, the upcoming T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA could be his last shot at lifting the global title.

In his illustrious white-ball career, Rohit has been a part of the World Cup winning team only once when India won the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007. He has participated in a total of 11 World Cups so far – eight T20Is and three ODIs.

While Rohit may have the desire to continue till the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, his determination alone isn’t enough. Form and fitness are two major factors in determining how long a player can play, and historically, in Indian cricket, once a player approaches 40, the general belief is that he is way past his prime.

However, Yograj Singh, the father of former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, has urged the BCCI to do away with the 'age-factor' and requested to consider Rohit Sharma for as long as his form and fitness hold up.

According to Yograj, Rohit is one of the rare players for whom fitness has never been an obstacle and the Indian captain can continue playing until he is 50.

"This talk about age, that someone is these many years old… I have never understood it. What is wrong if you are fit at 40, 42 or even 45, and if you are performing? In our country, people believe that once you're 40, you're old, it's time to have kids, you're done. The truth is that you are not finished," Yograj told Sports18 in an interview.

"Mohinder Amarnath was 38 years old when he won India the World Cup (he was 33). He was the Player of the Match in the final. So, I feel that in Indian cricket, the age factor should be scrapped once and for all. Rohit Sharma and Viru [Virender Sehwag] are two such great players who have never thought about fitness and training. If he does, he can play till he is 50," he added.

Rohit Sharma has some important assignments lined up both as Indian captain and batter in the next 18 months.

After the T20 World Cup 2024, India's next big task is the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Australian soil. The Champions Trophy is also scheduled early next year, along with the World Test Championship final, provided India qualify.