Former India batter Ajinkya Rahane recently took to his YouTube channel and shared his views on the constant questions being raised about Rohit Sharma’s future. The veteran batter has been facing scrutiny for the past year, and the situation became serious when it was speculated that Rohit could retire from the ODI format after the England series in July this year.

Rahane said, “Firstly, why did this topic even come out, or why were people talking about it? A player like Rohit has been a consistent performer for a long time, so this kind of question shouldn’t have come out. Such things do affect the mind of a player, no matter how senior he is, and it is important to respect such players. We all know how important his experience will be in the World Cup, and it tends to play on your mind, but knowing him well, Rohit would have ignored such comments.”

Speaking to BCCI after the Lord’s ODI, the former Indian skipper said, “My job is with the bat. I come and play, represent my country, and the team. That’s what I’ve been told to do since I made my debut. So that’s what I’m going to do. The noise has been there since my debut. It is going to stay till I am playing cricket. So it doesn’t really matter too much.”

Rahane reacted to Rohit’s selection in the ODI team for the West Indies series.

“Such questions will not arise again now that he is in the side for the West Indies series. In important games, experience is the key, and it is key to have a mix of youth and experience for the right balance. His presence is important, and he will look to play in each series with the same intensity and hunger.”

Former batter stresses importance of having experienced duo in the side

Finally, Ajinkya also spoke about Virat Kohli and said that the former skipper’s numbers speak for themselves.

“Both players are key members of the side and very experienced. There are no bigger batters in ODIs than these two, and nobody can question that. With such cricketers, it should be seen how to carry them, support them and use their experience. It is easy to look at the future, but it is also key to see what you have in the present, and we won’t get such cricketers again, and it will take a lot of time.”