Former Indian cricketer Ajit Agarkar lauded Rohit Sharma for his batting excellence, but he urged the Indian skipper not to miss a single ODI in the build-up to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
The veteran opener is all set to miss the opening game of the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia, which will be played at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on March 17, due to family commitments. In Rohit’s absence, Hardik Pandya will lead the side against Australia.
Reacting to the same, Agarkar said that India needs its captain no matter how physically demanding it may be, as Rohit doesn’t have many ODIs to formulate his plans for the World Cup 2023.
Ajit Agarkar said on Star Sports' Game Plan: “His record speaks for itself. You do not need to say anything about Rohit's performance in white ball cricket. He has taken a slightly different approach at times, trying to be the aggressor at the top of the order. Maybe he changed it a little bit in the last series, giving himself a little more time and got the hundred.”
He added, “I just hope he plays every game that India plays from now on, every one-day, because you want your captain out there to just have a pattern of play. He is missing the first one due to personal reasons. From thereon, you will not have enough one-days to formulate your plans. You want Rohit out there, as physically demanding as it can be for the captain, you want him not to miss any games. With regards to his batting, I do not think there are any issues.”
