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Gill Has Done Well But He Needs Players Like Kohli, Rohit in ODIs: Raina
Follow UsSuresh Raina also spoke about the prospect of India playing without two of their biggest stars - Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
With the next ODI World Cup in 2027, there are plenty of questions over the future of Indian stalwarts, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. While Kohli will be touching 38 by then, Rohit would be inching towards the 40 mark, which makes their participation in the World Cup a little dicey.
However, since the start of the 2023 ODI World Cup, Kohli (1098 runs) and Rohit (1056 runs) are India’s best batters in the 50-over format. Former Indian batter Suresh Raina has backed the two stalwarts to continue playing ODI cricket till the World Cup, stating that India will lack experience otherwise.
“India don’t have dependable players at No. 1 and No. 3 (in ODIs) at the moment, especially when chasing,” Raina told in an interview with Telecom Asia Sport.
The rise of Shubman Gill, the Test skipper, has certainly added more doubts over Rohit’s continuity in the ODI format. Gill has had an amazing start to his ODI career, with 2775 runs, at a staggering average of 59.04, with eight tons already. But Raina believes that Gill still needs players like Kohli and Rohit in the side.
“Rohit and Virat’s experience is very important. It’s crucial for the seniors to stay involved with the juniors. Shubman (Gill) has done really well, but he needs players like Virat and Rohit,” he added.
Raina also added that someone of Kohli’s stature still holds prime value to the country, thanks to his leadership abilities on the field.
“They have won the Champions Trophy, they have won the World Cups. Virat won the last IPL also. For the astute leadership they have shown during their respective careers, they need to be part of the dressing room,” Raina added.