Follow UsFormer India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, who is also a close friend of Rohit Sharma, has revealed that the 38-year-old has undergone a remarkable physical transformation, shedding nearly 11 kilos in preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Speaking to JioHotstar ahead of the first ODI against Australia in Perth on October 19 (Sunday), Nayar said Rohit’s goals were clear from the start. “I think there’s been a lot of talk about the weight loss.
“The initial parts were about obviously getting fitter, getting leaner. I spoke about this before. There was this spitting image of him walking out of the airport, you know, after his holiday in the UK. So that was something he wanted to change. He wanted to come back.”
Rohit has already retired from Tests and T20Is, leaving ODIs as his only active format. However, his spot in the 2027 World Cup squad remains a topic of debate - he’ll be 40 by then and has already been replaced as ODI captain by Shubman Gill.
Despite the speculation, Nayar insists Rohit is fully committed to playing the next World Cup and believes the weight loss will directly enhance his batting.
“The outlook was obviously the 2027 World Cup - to be fitter, to be stronger, to be lighter, agile. And the skill has always been there. So the fitness has only amplified the skill. It’s helped him, you know, move faster. His agility is the best it’s ever been.
“He’s excited. He’s keen. He knows there’s a bit of pressure and talk around, you know, will he reach the 2027 World Cup? The first statement was his weight. Hopefully, the second statement is the runs he gets with the bat.
“We are hoping that those 11 kilos that he’s lost - and I say this 11,000 grams lighter than Rohit Sharma is - you can see those faster pullers and better square cuts this time around.”
The first ODI against Australia also marks Rohit’s 500th international appearance, making him only the fifth Indian and the 11th player overall to reach the milestone.
His recent ODI numbers back his ambitions. Since 2023, Rohit has piled up 1714 runs in 37 innings at an average of 48.97 and a striking rate of 117.2.