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Former India opener and Indian domestic cricket legend, Wasim Jaffer explains what Rohit Sharma should and should not do ahead of the upcoming ODI World Cup in 2027. Jaffer asked the former Indian captain not to take unnecessary risks by taking himself deep into the innings.
Considering Rohit Sharma’s unnatural aggressive batting style, Wasim Jaffer believes that the opener should not implement the extra aggressive approach which he implemented in the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, where India claimed the trophy under the leadership of Rohit Sharma.
Should Rohit Sharma change his batting style?
Before retiring from T20Is, the ‘Hitman’ improved his batting style and adopted a more aggressive approach in the batting line-up. There is a possibility of seeing this experienced batsman in his old image again before the ODI World Cup.
Rohit Sharma scored 48 runs in 39 balls with the help of six fours and two sixes at a strike rate of 123.08 against Afghanistan at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow in the second match of the three-match ODI series.
“I think Rohit Sharma will be a bit aggressive, but I don’t think you need to play such a high-risk game in 50 overs compared to T20. Anyway, he is an aggressive player. India also have a strong batting line-up. So that kind of game, which we play in T20, is not needed. I think he would like to play aggressively, but it is important to lay the base,” Wasim Jaffer said in his YouTube channel.
What will be the batting position of Shubman Gill?
In Lucknow, India captain Shubman Gill was named player of the match for his brilliant innings of 154 runs off 110 balls. As soon as Yashasvi Jaiswal came in to open the innings with Rohit Sharma, Gill landed himself at No. 3 and played a huge innings.
Since the innings of 154 runs came from the number three position, questions are being raised over Shubman Gill’s batting position ahead of India vs Afghanistan 3.third And the final ODI of the ongoing bilateral series.
Jaffer said that Gill should retain his usual opening position once Virat Kohli joins the team. Kohli has been ruled out of the IND vs AFG ODI series due to a hamstring injury sustained during the final match of IPL 2026.
Jaffer said, “I don’t think Gill will want to give up that opening spot. It will be too late for him at number four. Shreyas is there. Rahul comes after him. The spot is very tight. I think after Virat comes, Rohit and Shubman will be seen opening. Jaiswal had a very good opportunity. You don’t get opportunities easily and you need to take advantage of them. Yashasvi has been looking bad for some time now. He has to step up. He has to be aware too.”
There is no turning back now for Ishan Kishan
Along with Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan was the other batsman who scored a blistering century in Lucknow. The keeper-batsman scored 125 runs with the help of 14 fours and seven sixes in just 79 balls at a strike rate of 158.23. The former cricketer pointed out that, since winning the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26 as the captain of the Jharkhand cricket team, the versatile left-handed batsman has not looked back.
“Ishan Kishan is at the top of his game. The way he led Jharkhand in SMAT, there was no looking back after that. Every format and every opportunity he is taking with both hands. He is scoring runs with ease and pace. His offside game has improved. He has given the Indian team a good problem now. They have to think about him. How can they keep him out now? He is a revolution,” Wasim Jaffer continued in the same video.