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Rohit Sharma Survives Agarkar's Axe, But Fitness Concerns Linger for World Cup
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News18•20-09-2026, 22:40
Rohit Sharma Survives Agarkar's Axe, But Fitness Concerns Linger for World Cup
- •Rohit Sharma received public backing from BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, securing his spot for West Indies ODIs despite chief selector Ajit Agarkar's desire to move on.
- •Agarkar reportedly aimed to integrate Yashasvi Jaiswal into the team for the 2027 World Cup, viewing the upcoming 20 ODIs as crucial preparation.
- •Despite a 138-run knock at Lord's and decent form in 2026, selectors raised concerns about Rohit's performance on challenging pitches, noting his recent centuries came after series losses.
- •A major concern for selectors is Rohit's fitness at 39, especially after a hamstring injury in the last IPL, leading to doubts about his ability to last until the 2027 World Cup.
- •Selectors reportedly de-hyphenated Rohit and Virat Kohli regarding fitness, emphasizing the need for Jaiswal to gain sufficient exposure before the World Cup to avoid being 'undercooked'.
Key Questions Answered
Selectors are worried because Rohit is 39 years old and missed four consecutive matches during the last IPL due to a hamstring injury. Concerns remain over whether his body can handle the physical load of fielding for 50 overs without the Impact Player option.
Selectors felt that most of Rohit's recent best knocks occurred on batting-friendly tracks rather than in tricky conditions, and they wanted to give Yashasvi Jaiswal sufficient bedding-in exposure before the 2027 World Cup.
Rohit helped his case by scoring a 138-run knock at Lord's when observers questioned if he would retire, and he has otherwise shown decent form throughout 2026.
