The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly set different criteria for veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma going forward as Team India preps for the ICC World Cup 2027. And the biggest issue for the BCCI is Rohit Sharma’s fitness.
The former captain of India was selected for the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, which begins on June 14. However, his participation is still contingent upon his fitness. Earlier in the season, Rohit sustained a hamstring injury that kept him out of four games for the Mumbai Indians.
The board is allegedly worried about Rohit's general condition because he has mostly been deployed as an impact sub despite making his comeback with a brilliant half-century.
As per the Times of India, the BCCI officials are worried about Rohit Sharma’s ability to remain injury-free and stay fit on the road for the ICC World Cup next year.
“Rohit did not report to the center of excellence (COE) for those three weeks. He has become lean, but there are concerns about his body being able to take the load of high-performance sport. He has to field for 50 overs. ODI cricket doesn’t have the option of an impact player like the IPL,” the Times of India report stated while quoting a source.
The report also mentioned that the BCCI is no longer judging Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma on the same benchmarks, given the stark difference in their fitness levels. On one hand, Rohit Sharma has struggled with his fitness and injuries; Kohli has been the shining example of how fit a cricketer should be.
Kohli works hard in the indoor facilities at Lord's even when he is not in India, which explains why rust rarely appears in his game.
There hasn't been a lack of runs for Rohit. In his last ten ODIs, he has amassed four fifties and a century. His chances of qualifying for the 2027 World Cup will ultimately depend on how well his body holds up despite decreasing weight.
Kohli works hard in the indoor facilities at Lord's even when he is not in India, which explains why rust rarely appears in his game.
There hasn't been a lack of runs for Rohit. In his last ten ODIs, he has amassed four fifties and a century. His chances of qualifying for the 2027 World Cup will ultimately depend on how well his body holds up despite decreasing weight.
“At this moment, Kohli’s fitness and form are better than most cricketers in India. But one has to understand that Kohli and Rohit can’t be clubbed together anymore. A firm decision needs to be taken on Rohit after consulting the BCCI medical team,” the source added.
The BCCI will need to begin looking at a backup opener if Rohit Sharma continues to struggle with injuries. They have picked Ishan Kishan as a backup keeper and opener for the Afghanistan ODI series, and there is also Yashasvi Jaiswal, who waits in the wings. It is hoped that the situation becomes clear during the England fixtures in mid-July.
