Will definitely play World Cup': Rohit Sharma's ex-coach slams Saba Karim after India star's fitness came under scanner
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Will definitely play World Cup': Rohit Sharma's ex-coach slams Saba Karim after India star's fitness came under scanner originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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Key Takeaways:
- Rohit Sharma scored 283 runs across 9 matches at an average of 35.38 with just two 50+ scores
- Ex-coach Saba Karim believes Rohit Sharma has to earn his spot on India's team for the 2027 ICC World Cup
- Sharma's fitness has raised doubts about his spot on the national side, but ex-coach supports him
Saba Karim questions Rohit Sharma's fitness
Virat Kohli has been the talk of the town after hitting 675 runs across 16 games as RCB won their second title. But while "The Run Machine" seems booked for next year's 50-over World Cup, Rohit Sharma hasn't been so lucky, with some even raising questions on his form.
The former Mumbai captain has scored just 283 runs for MI and didn't even play the complete season, leading former selector Saba Karim to question his fitness. “I think Rohit has to do a lot of hard work. He has to work on his fitness levels and on his batting performance,” Karim told PTI.
“I think selectors will be keenly watching Rohit's performance for the next six months to decide whether he can be part of the equation or not," he added. He compared Sharma to Kohli and mentioned how Kohli has already proved everything there is to prove by his hunger for runs.
"For Virat Kohli, I am sure that they are completely convinced that he will be a part of the 2027 World Cup setup," he said. “Rohit, however, will have to do a lot of heavy lifting if he wants to get back in the selectors' World Cup planning,” he added. But one man didn't agree with this take.
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Rohit Sharma's ex-coach slams Saba Karim after India star's fitness came under scanner
Refusing to let the criticism slide, Dinesh Lad dismissed Karim's evaluation as short-sighted, arguing that a player of Rohit's historic calibre should not be subjected to arbitrary probationary periods.
"Why are the next six months crucial only for Rohit? It's crucial for all players," Lad countered. "I have a 100 per cent guarantee that Rohit will definitely play the 50-over World Cup in 2027." He believes that the former all-format captain of India has everything he needs to be part of next year's squad.
"Being a coach, I don't think he needs to prove anything to anyone. Despite the age factor, he is still fit enough," Lad added. "He badly wants to win the ODI World Cup... He wants to win that for India at any cost, and I am sure he will retire only after that."
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The Cricket News Opinion: Sharma is still a danger to bowling attacks
With more than 11,000 ODI runs and 33 centuries, Sharma has proved time and again just how dangerous he is in the 50-over format. His explosive innings and massive sixes have been the cornerstone of an Indian side that marched undefeated to the 2023 finals.
Not only that, but Sharma has already proved his competence as a captain by leading India to the 2024 World T20 title and the 2025 Champions Trophy. Even if Shubman Gill remains India's captain next year, Sharma's value as an opener cannot be undermined under any condition.
If anything, last edition's loss against the Aussies will just power him to perform even better. With him now single-mindedly focusing on the 50-over format after walking away from Tests and T20Is, his lifelong mentor has advised him to completely shut out the external noise, focus on domestic matches, and let his bat handle the talking.
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