Rahane Tells Agarkar To Assure Rohit Of WC Spot: 'Agar Unko Khelna Hai Toh...'

News cricket Rahane Tells Agarkar To Assure Rohit Of WC Spot: 'Agar Unko Khelna Hai Toh...'

Rahane Tells Agarkar To Assure Rohit Of WC Spot: 'Agar Unko Khelna Hai Toh...'

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Last Updated: August 08, 2026, 20:10 IST

Ajinkya Rahane wants Ajit Agarkar to assure Rohit Sharma a spot in the 2027 World Cup, saying that a 'big player' like him shouldn't be reviewed on a series-by-series basis.

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Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma played several years together. (AFP, Creimas)

Ajinkya Rahane wants the Indian men’s cricket team management and the BCCI to give complete assurance to Rohit Sharma about his spot in the 2027 World Cup. The recently retired cricketer said that Rohit has been ‘amazing’ for the team and doesn’t deserve a series-by-series review.

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar is said to have informed Rohit that he’s not in their plans for the World Cup before the three-ODI series against England. Rohit did respond with a 138-run knock in the final ODI at Lord’s, but the speculation has yet to die down. Rohit would be 40 by the time the World Cup kicks off in Africa, and the selectors seem keen to try out younger options, like Yashasvi Jaiswal.

But Rahane believes that the same experience is Rohit’s biggest strength.

“I think it’s important to tell Rohit Sharma that he’s going to play the 2027 World Cup," Rahane asserted in an interview with The Indian Express. “If you see his contribution throughout so many years, it’s been amazing. So you need the experience of such a player in the World Cup—that discussion shouldn’t even happen. If you say once, ‘Rohit Sharma, you’re going to play,’ that’s it. You can’t go series by series because he’s such a big player," he said.

Rahane argued that players need backing because cricketers need rhythm and mental freedom to perform.

“If you treat a big player like that—because as I said, it’s about rhythm," Rahane said. “Cricket is about rhythm. No matter how many matches you’ve played, if you’re a youngster or an experienced player in the team, it’s about rhythm. If your mind is free, you can play with that mindset. So about Rohit’s quality—there’s no need to even speak. Such experience is needed in the team, so this debate shouldn’t even happen with team management and the captain. Agar unko khelna hai 2027 World Cup, toh unko khelna hai. (If he wants to play in the 2027 World Cup, then he should play.)"

Rahane concluded by saying that Rohit’s performance might fluctuate, but his ‘intensity and attitude’ would never be doubtful. He said that both Rohit and Virat Kohli, whose positions are also under doubt, need to be told, ‘go play, we’re with you’ so they can continue the form they showed in England.

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First Published: August 08, 2026, 19:57 IST

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