Yuvraj Singh demands clarity regarding RO-KO's future
All eyes were on just one player—Rohit Sharma—during the third ODI against England. After he failed to perform in the first two ODIs, rumours suddenly circulated on social media that the Lord's ODI would be Rohit Sharma's final international match, leaving cricket fans disheartened for two days. Everyone was waiting for an official statement from Rohit. According to reports, the team management had informed Rohit that he was not part of their plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup. However, the story ultimately proved to be nothing more than a rumour, as BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia personally refuted the claim, stating;
"There are lot of speculations going on in media about Rohit Sharma's future. I want to firmly assert that there has been no such discussion that Rohit will be playing his last match at Lord's on Sunday," Saikia told PTI. "Rohit is a regular member of the Indian ODI team and he will continue to represent the country as long as he is in the scheme of things. In other words, Lord's ODI wont be his last match."
Nevertheless, Rohit Sharma answered the question with his bat. Chasing a target of 388, he played a magnificent innings of 138 runs; although India failed to pull off the chase, Rohit's performance made it clear that he intends to play in the 2027 World Cup and is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve that goal.
Following Rohit's century, former star all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has come out in support of both Rohit and Virat, urging the management to clearly inform them whether or not they remain part of the team's future plans.
“It's up to the management who they want to stick with. Ideally, you need experience in the team. You can't just go with young guys, or you just can't go with only experience in the team. You have to match it. And I believe that if they have to play the World Cup, they have to be secured now. The media is always going to bring up the moment they don't perform, age and form, and all this is going to come. Whatever noise is outside, let it be outside,” Yuvraj said in an interview with Star Sports during the mid-innings break for the third ODI.
“Whatever your plans are, if you want these guys to go for the World Cup, you tell them now, and you secure them now. That's great, you are going to the World Cup, don't worry about anything. Or if you feel that someone is not fitting, tell them, it's going to look bad, it's going to be a hard call, but eventually the guy will appreciate that you said it on his face,” he added.
He added that Rohit and Virat have done a great deal for India and deserve respect; no one would appreciate them being misled. These legendary batters deserve clarity.
“That is my opinion. Have clarity with your most experienced players. Virat and Rohit, what they have done for India is unmatchable. It's unbelievable the number of hundreds they have scored, the games they have won for India, what they have contributed to the field as players, as captains; it's unmatched. But you need to have clarity with your seniors,” said Yuvraj.
In the match context, after batting first, England amassed 387/3 in 50 overs, thanks to Ben Duckett (141 off 135), Jacob Bethell (91 off 93), Joe Root (74* off 48) and Joe Buttler (41* off 13). For India, in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, the bowling department looked completely inexperienced. In response, Team India managed to score 360/7. For India, Rohit Sharma scored 138 runs in 110 balls, including 17 fours and 5 sixes. While skipper Shubman Gill (77 off 84) and Virat Kohli (74 off 60) also smashed half-centuries. However, after the dismissal of these 3 batters, England managed to win the match and the series as well.
