Rohit Sharma Sets Sights on 2027 ODI World Cup, Emphasizes Fitness and Consistency
New Delhi — Veteran Indian batsman Rohit Sharma has expressed his ambition to represent India in the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, emphasizing that maintaining fitness, performing consistently and focusing on immediate challenges will be essential to achieving his goal.
Rohit recently scored 101 against the West Indies at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati, helping India successfully chase a massive target of 406. He shared a 255-run opening partnership with captain Shubman Gill, who scored an unbeaten 223.
Speaking to JioStar, Rohit said he intends to approach the next World Cup by concentrating on his current performances rather than worrying about the future.
“What I want to manifest is that I keep myself capable enough until 2027, so I keep myself fit, keep working hard, and keep performing well in every tournament that comes up. This is what I need to think about, and this is what I need to do. So, I think my immediate goal is that whatever is in front of me right now, I do that properly,” he said.
Rohit explained that maintaining his established routine, improving his batting and fitness, and supporting his teammates remain his priorities.
He also praised Gill’s development as India’s captain, urging critics to give the young batsman sufficient time to establish himself as a leader.
“Shubman Gill has a great cricketing brain, no doubt about that. He has been captaining for about a year now, so it is unfair to judge him as a captain so early,” Rohit said.
The former Indian captain highlighted Gill’s clarity of thought and decision-making, saying those qualities are essential for effective leadership.
“But from what I have seen, he has been impressive. He is very clear about what he wants. That is the most important thing a captain should have. If the captain is clear, the players around him will also be clear. That is what I see with Shubman,” he added.
Rohit emphasized that stepping away from captaincy has not changed his relationship with Gill or his responsibility to help the team succeed.
“Shubman is the captain, but that does not mean I stay away from him or talk less with him. Ever since he made his debut, we have been moving in the same direction,” he said.
Reflecting on his career, Rohit recalled India’s victories in the 2007 and 2024 T20 World Cups and the 2013 Champions Trophy. He said those experiences have strengthened his determination to win another major international tournament.
He described India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph as particularly meaningful because it ended an 11-year wait for an ICC title.
“So, I know what winning a World Cup feels like. So that’s why I want that feeling back. The fun we had, you can’t describe what that feeling is, because you can’t match that,” Rohit said.
The veteran opener hopes to maintain his form when India faces the West Indies in the third ODI in New Chandigarh on Saturday, continuing his preparations toward a possible appearance in the 2027 World Cup. (Source: IANS)
