Venkatesh Prasad Backs Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to Continue Until 2027 World Cup
Support for Veteran Players
Venkatesh Prasad, a former Indian pacer and current President of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), has expressed strong support for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. He believes that both players should have the autonomy to decide their retirement timeline and should aim to play until the 2027 ODI World Cup.
During a discussion in Bengaluru, Prasad rejected any notion that the two cricketing icons should be urged to retire, despite ongoing speculation about their careers. He stated, "Absolutely. I have consistently maintained that they deserve the freedom to choose when to retire. No one should pressure them into making that decision. Rohit’s recent performance at Lord's, where he became the first Indian to score an ODI century at that venue, clearly indicates he still possesses the skills needed. It is crucial to retain both Virat and Rohit until the World Cup concludes," Prasad remarked.
Rohit Responds to Speculation
Prasad's comments followed Rohit Sharma's impressive century against England in the third ODI at Lord's, which effectively countered retirement rumors. After India's 2-1 series loss, Rohit emphasized that such speculation would not deter him from his commitment to the team.
"My responsibility is to perform with the bat. I am here to represent my country and my team, which has been my focus since my debut. That’s what I will continue to do," Rohit stated in a video released by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
The 39-year-old acknowledged that external criticism has always been part of his journey and will persist. He added, "What truly matters is my performance on the field and contributing to the team's success. That’s where my focus lies. Let the noise continue; if there’s no noise, there’s no excitement."
Rohit's Stellar Performance
Rohit showcased his talent with a remarkable 138 runs off 110 balls, marking him as the first Indian to achieve an ODI century at Lord's. His innings included 17 fours and five sixes, setting a record for the highest individual ODI score by an Indian against England in England, surpassing his previous best of 137 at Trent Bridge in 2018.
England Secures Series Win
In the match, India was in a strong position while chasing a target of 388 runs, with Rohit forming a 147-run opening partnership with captain Shubman Gill, who scored 77. Rohit also added 113 runs with Virat Kohli, who contributed 74 runs off 60 balls. However, despite their efforts, India fell short, being bowled out for 361 runs after being well-placed at 304/2. England had set a challenging target with a score of 387/3, led by Ben Duckett's 141, Jacob Bethell's 91, Joe Root's unbeaten 74, and Jos Buttler's 41 not out, while Sam Curran's four wickets helped secure the series for England.
Upcoming Matches
With both Rohit and Kohli now focusing solely on ODIs, they are anticipated to return to the international stage in a three-match ODI series against the West Indies, starting on September 27.