Former selector explains why Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma should not continue their ODI careers
Indian cricket greats Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's ODI future has been the subject of intense discussion, with the October series against Australia being seen as their farewell match. Despite their good form, both players are reportedly not part of plans for the ODI World Cup 2027.
Former BCCI selector says Rohit and Kohli should move on
Former BCCI selection committee member Devang Gandhi believes it is time to move on from the experienced pair to create opportunities for young talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan in the ODI format.
'How will you make players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Sai Sudharsan, among others, sit out when they have shown how well they can adapt? The bigger transition is from T20s to Tests. Once a player has done well in Test cricket and has the power game, ODIs should come easier to them. It is very important that the selectors and the team management sit together and take a call,' Gandhi told the Times of India.
Rohit and Kohli will need to play Domestic cricket
According to reports, if Rohit and Kohli want to continue playing 50-over cricket, they will need to play domestic cricket. However, the BCCI has not yet made their decision official. However, Gandhi believes that even this may not be possible, as young players must be prepared for the ODI World Cup in case Virat and Rohit don't perform as expected before the main event.
'If, say, in a year's time, we come to a situation where one of them is not firing and we need a replacement, the team management may not have enough time to prepare a player for the job,' Gandhi said.
'There's absolutely no doubt about the contribution of Rohit and Virat. But time doesn't wait for anybody,' Gandhi added.
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