Former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas has thrown his support behind Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, saying that both the senior batters should be part of India’s squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup despite ongoing discussions about their future. While backing the experienced duo, Zaheer Abbas also advised Rohit Sharma to focus more on his fitness over the coming year.
Speaking on a Pakistani television channel, the batting great said Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma remain among the finest ODI players in world cricket. Explaining his remarks, Zaheer Abbas said players should be judged by their fitness, form and performances rather than their age. He believes the experience of the two veterans will be crucial as India aim to win the 2027 ODI World Cup, which will be held across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Zaheer Abbas praised Virat Kohli’s fitness levels, saying the former India captain continues to maintain excellent physical standards. At the same time, he suggested that Rohit Sharma could benefit from paying a little more attention to his fitness.
Fitness has often been a talking point in Rohit’s career. However, the former India skipper has worked hard on his fitness in recent months, shedding several kilograms and becoming noticeably more agile despite being 39 years old.
Zaheer Abbas’ comments come amid reports claiming that the Indian selectors have informed Rohit Sharma of their decision to move on from him. However, the opener answered some of his critics by scoring a century at Lord’s during the recent ODI against England.
The former Pakistan skipper also praised Rohit Sharma’s innings, saying he remains one of the most elegant batters in world cricket. Generalising his comments, Zaheer Abbas said Rohit’s effortless strokeplay and timing continue to make him one of the most enjoyable batters to watch.
Zaheer Abbas also reflected on how batting has evolved in the T20 era. While acknowledging the rise of innovative shots in modern cricket, he stressed that traditional cricketing strokes remain the foundation for success across all formats of the game.
Widely regarded as one of Asia’s finest batters, Zaheer Abbas enjoyed a distinguished international career. In 78 Test matches, he scored 5,062 runs, including 12 centuries, at an average of 44.79.
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