Recently retired star Ajinkya Rahane is giving statements on Indian players and their careers. The 38-year-old had called time on his long career via an emotional message on his Instagram handle. The player has joined Amsterdam Flames for the upcoming European T20 Premier League that begins on 26th August. 

During the course of his chat with Indian Express, the veteran batter was asked to speak about Rohit Sharma. “It is important to tell someone like Rohit that he is going to play in the next ODI World Cup in 2027. He has contributed over the years and has been amazing. So you need a player with that experience during the tournament.”

He also added, “There shouldn’t be a discussion on this once you tell him (Rohit) that you are part of the plans.

It cannot go on a series-by-series basis because he is a big player and the game is all about rhythm, and it doesn’t matter if a cricketer is experienced or new. You need to be free, and it is all about the mindset with which you play.”

“One doesn’t have to talk about Rohit Sharma’s experience and quality as you need such players in the team. This should not be a topic of debate, and it doesn’t matter if it is the team management or the captain. If he has decided to play the next World Cup, he will play it.

You cannot doubt his intensity or attitude. Performance will vary, but as I said before, in crucial moments and games, his experience counts,” he explained.

Rahane asks BCCI to back senior players. 

The former Kolkata Knight Riders captain also opined, “In the last game against England, even though India lost that match, the kind of batting he did was impressive. Even Virat got a few fifties in the series.

One should let such players free and tell them to play their natural game. Senior players should be backed, and the team management should throw their weight behind them.”

Rohit started the England series with scores of 11 and 26 in the first two ODI matches. It was the Indian Express, incidentally, who had broken the news that the veteran batter was set to retire from ODIs after the Lord’s game. Rohit, though, defied the odds and went on to score 138 runs from 110 balls, giving a befitting reply to his critics. Virat Kohli also recorded his best score at Lord’s with 74 in the third and final ODI.