Sunil Gavaskar makes a massive prediction for Rohit Sharma ahead of IND vs ENG ODI series

The biggest question in the cricketing world right now is whether Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be able to play in the 2027 World Cup and whether the selectors intend to include them in the squad. Both players have frequently expressed a desire to play in the 2027 World Cup, yet selector Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir have remained non-committal on the matter. 

After being dismissed for ducks in the first two ODIs against Australia last year, Virat Kohli made a spectacular comeback and scored a flurry of runs, effectively silencing doubts about his place in the team; Rohit Sharma's form, however, has been inconsistent. He won the 'Player of the Series' award in Australia and averaged over 40 against South Africa, but struggled significantly during the series against New Zealand. Similarly, in the recent series against Afghanistan, he got starts in every match but failed to convert them into big scores.

A three-match ODI series against England is set to begin on July 14, offering Rohit another opportunity to prove himself. Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored two centuries in his last three innings, has not been included in the squad—a decision that has sparked considerable debate. While some believe Rohit should be dropped in favour of Jaiswal, others continue to back the Hitman. 

Weighing in on the issue, former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar supported Rohit Sharma, stating that the upcoming three-match ODI series against England would be the perfect opportunity for him to demonstrate his value to the selectors. England is the very venue where Rohit Sharma smashed five centuries during the 2019 World Cup. Gavaskar added that Rohit is well aware of where he stands.

“Tell me when has there not been a lot of talk about Rohit Sharma? It is always been like this. But look, he knows where he stands,” Gavaskar said.

I think there obviously has been a clear sort of information from those who matter... So Rohit knows exactly where he stands and all that he needs to do over the next year and a half leading up to the World Cup and that is to consistently deliver. 

And I don’t think he’s the kind of person who feels any pressure. I don’t think he’s ever felt the pressure with the talent and the ability that he has. So England is a very good platform for him to show that even a year and a half down the road, he’ll be there opening the batting for India,” the legendary opener said. 

Gavaskar further stated that for the past 17-18 years, all eyes have been fixed on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Both of them have handled this immense pressure remarkably well, and dealing with pressure is nothing new for them; they know exactly how to manage it.

“Look, they have been outstanding players over the last 17-18 years and clearly the scrutiny has been on them... When you are a young player making your debut, the scrutiny is on you... how you handle international pressure... whether you have the temperament and the taste for international cricket. So the scrutiny starts from there and it hardly ever ends as far as Indian cricket is concerned,” Gavaskar said.

"And so the scrutiny being on them is not going to be something new. They know how to handle that, they know how to handle the pressure and they know that the only way is to keep on scoring runs, keep on taking the catches that come their way, affect the run outs... And at the same time be at hand for the captain to give their advice because of their experience... so they know that it is going to be on them. 

The India vs. England ODI series will begin on July 14. The first match of the series will be played in Birmingham on July 14, while the second ODI will take place in Cardiff on July 16, and the third match will be held at Lord’s on July 19. Before the ODI series, a five-match T20I series will be played between the two teams from July 1 to July 11.