Overview
- Harbhajan Singh told selectors to build the next World Cup side around Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, warning that discarding experience can hurt in big matches.
- Shahid Afridi called the pair the backbone of India’s batting and urged smart rotation against weaker opposition, while criticizing head coach Gautam Gambhir’s approach.
- Team voices led by Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar have not guaranteed the veterans’ places for 2027, according to recent reporting.
- Recent ODIs strengthened the case for the duo, with Kohli topping the South Africa series charts at 302 runs and Rohit compiling key fifties and strong yearlong numbers.
- Rohit surpassed Afridi’s ODI sixes mark in Raipur to reach 355, and former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin and ex-pacer S. Sreesanth also pressed the BCCI to retain the pair for their experience and mentorship.