Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Chairman of Selectors Ajit Agarkar has given a big statement on the future of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in international cricket.
Ajit Agarkar said that the final decision has not been taken yet on whether Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will get a place in the Indian team for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.
As I said, he has been an unbelievable player for a long time – Ajit Agarkar
A lot has been said about the future of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in international cricket, with many supporting them to play till the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 and some calling for their retirement.
However, now the man who holds the power and who will decide the fate of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli has finally spoken on the matter. Speaking at the NDTV World Summit, Ajit Agarkar said that Kohli and Rohit are part of the team at the moment, but no one knows what will happen in two years. He said:
“They’re part of the team for Australia at the moment. As I said, they’ve been incredible players for a long time. And this is probably not the platform to harp on individuals because you want to try and focus on the team and what the team wants to achieve. And in two years’ time, we don’t know what the situation is going to be. Why just them? It could be any young player as well.”
That would be a bit silly, wouldn’t it? -Ajit Agarkar on putting Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma under pressure
Will Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma be tested on a match-by-match basis and put under constant pressure? Responding to this, Ajit Agarkar said that this will not happen at all.
“That would be a bit silly, wouldn’t it?” When Agarkar was asked whether Kohli and Rohit would be assessed after every series, he said. “When one guy averages over 50, and the other is close to that. You are not putting them to the test for every game, but 2027 is too far. Both play the same format. They are playing after 7 months. They haven’t had a lot of cricket. Once they start playing, you assess. They have achieved all they had to in terms of winning trophies but also scoring runs.”
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are currently working hard on the field in Perth to prepare themselves for their return to international cricket after a long time. They will be seen in action on Sunday, October 19 and will be hoping to score big in the three-match series.
It is not that these two will not score runs in this series… – Ajit Agarkar
Ajit Agarkar also clarified that the Australia series has no significance with regard to the selection of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027. He said:
“It’s not that if both of them don’t score runs in this series, that’s the reason they won’t be here. Or because they scored 300 runs, that would be the reason. 2027 is still a long way off. We’ll see how the team shapes up. We have some ideas, and as we go along, we’ll see how the team is progressing.”
Talking specifically about legacy cricketers, Ajit Agarkar said that they are treated with utmost respect and their conversations are kept private.
“Legacy cricketers have created that legacy for themselves. You want experienced players to play well. You have to treat them with respect. Some of the conversations I have with them don’t come out, but there is nothing but respect,” he said.
Also read: Rumors of Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma going to UK dashed after family opposition
