It suits Rohit Sharma’s stature perfectly that he will now step back into the format that he knows best. In the realm of 50-over cricket, he truly stands as a cricketing deity, unmatched in statistics with three ODI double hundreds. Having retired from Test cricket and T20Is, he should be fresh for the next ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
But sport has a way of throwing us curveballs while we make our plans. In two years, Rohit will be turning 40.
As he navigates the demands of age, form, and the evolving landscape of international cricket, it should be pondered whether he can cement his legacy further or if the ticking clock will pose challenges.
While modern fitness regimes and advanced nutrition can make 40 feel like the new 25, his potential participation in the next ODI World Cup brings with it a layer of complexity that deserves careful consideration.
Currently, ODIs stand as the least played format in cricket, reflecting a shift in focus towards T20s. Only closer to ICC events do ODI bilateral series gain significance. Even if Rohit plays the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he may find it challenging to secure sufficient game time to sharpen his skills. As athletes age, they have to put in more effort to maintain their reflexes and agility. Will he have the drive to play the Ranji Trophy to keep himself relevant?
Ask MS Dhoni about the rigorous six-month training regimen he undertakes to maintain his fitness and peak performance for two months in the IPL. This year, as seen in the ongoing IPL season, the lengthy hiatus between competitive events has posed a significant challenge for him. While two years might seem like a short span in terms of days, the impact on a player’s cricketing longevity is profound; two years can feel like an eternity in the life of a cricketer. Sachin Tendulkar batted with abandon in the 2011 World Cup. Two years later, his body, as a cricketing vehicle, was done.
A compelling argument can be made for Rohit to assume the role of a specialist batsman, paving the way for Shubman Gill—who is seen as the future Test captain—to take the reins in ODIs as well. But being a senior player with that wealth of experience, Rohit is likely to receive a leeway—and deservingly so—during periods of subpar performance. The pressing question remains: can India rely on this approach of rewarding seniority over form as they navigate the high-stakes environment of a World Cup?
And should Rohit be taking the place of Yashasvi Jaiswal, who should be closer to his cricketing peak two years from now? Or even Abhishek Sharma, the T20 bazooka, waiting to be unleashed fully in 50 overs?
We may recall that even during his low phases, Rohit had been persisted with, which overshadowed the promising careers of two of his contemporaries, Manoj Tiwary and Manish Pandey.
It was Dhoni’s vision that truly set the stage for Rohit’s transformation. Dhoni championed his inclusion, often at the expense of other deserving batsmen, made him open in the 2013 Champions Trophy, paving the way for the full flowering of an ODI maestro. That decision famously altered the trajectory of Rohit’s career, proving how foresight can nurture greatness.
Of course, Indian cricket looks that much richer when Rohit hits the high notes with those meaty pulls. But is that the version we will see two years from now?
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