Former Indian fast bowler Mohit Sharma slammed Rohit Sharma’s critics after India registered a comprehensive nine-wicket win against Afghanistan in the third ODI at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Saturday.
In the first two ODIs against the visitors, Rohit had returned with scores of 16 and 48 but smashed a fine knock of 79 runs off 69 balls, including nine fours and three maximums in the final game of the series.
Rohit scored his 62nd ODI fifty as he changed gears after getting off to a sedate start. The Indian veteran added a fine opening alliance of 170 runs off 137 balls with Yashasvi Jaiswal.
“If we look at it from ODI World Cup 2027’s point of view, everything is on track with Rohit. The biggest positive for me was that when Rohit ran the doubles with Yashasvi Jaiswal. Earlier what used to happen is that you have scored a 50 in the heat, you get tired, but here he was showing intent for that extra run while running between the wickets. Considering how much he has performed for India, the questions being raised should stop,” Mohit Sharma said on Cricbuzz.
Meanwhile, Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a brilliant knock of 110 runs in the final ODI and former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary said it would create a massive headache for the team’s think tank as far as the top-order selection is concerned.
“There will be a massive headache now, because Yashasvi has scored an unbeaten hundred. The healthy competition will continue between them in the series to come, but what happens when KL Rahul returns to the team? Will Yashasvi or Rohit be benched? It is now entirely up to the team management,” Manoj Tiwary said on Cricbuzz.
Tiwary added that Rohit was able to prove his fitness in the third ODI against Afghanistan.
“He has been working hard on his fitness, there is no doubt about it. But the trainers and physios also have to help him to bring him to top fitness, if there is any question about fitness. Now, he fielded for 50 overs, and then batted as well, it did not seem anywhere that there was any question mark on fitness,” he added.
Rohit will be next seen in action in the ODI series against England.
