Rohit Sharma Eyes 2027 World Cup Amid Unfinished ODI Aspirations
Rohit Sharma's Ambitions for the 2027 World Cup
Rohit Sharma, the seasoned Indian cricketer, is determined to make his mark in ODI cricket, expressing his eagerness for the upcoming 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup. He emphasized that as long as he is active in the sport, there will always be goals to pursue.
In a conversation with JioStar prior to India's ODI series against the West Indies, Rohit shared insights into his ongoing commitment to the 50-over format, especially after stepping back from Test and T20I formats. He stated, "I will never consider my journey as complete. There’s always something to anticipate while playing, and I am particularly excited about the World Cup and the challenges it brings." He highlighted the unique experiences of ICC tournaments, where players face diverse opponents and play in various locations, necessitating distinct preparations.
Reflecting on Past World Cup Experiences
Rohit has celebrated victories in the ICC T20I World Cup with India in 2007 and 2024, yet he has not yet lifted the ODI World Cup trophy. His chance to do so slipped away in 2023 when India lost to Australia in the final held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Rohit's ODI Statistics and Future Goals
The upcoming 2027 World Cup, co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia from October 4 to November 21, presents Rohit with another chance to shine on the international stage. At 39, he has retired from Test and T20I formats but remains a key player in ODIs. His impressive record includes 11,895 runs in 288 ODIs, featuring 34 centuries and 62 fifties, with an average of 48 and a strike rate of 93. Notably, Rohit holds the record for the highest individual score in men's ODI history, achieving 264 runs against Sri Lanka in 2014, and is the only player to have scored three double-centuries in ODIs.
Preparations for the 2027 World Cup
India's journey towards the 2027 World Cup kicks off with a three-match ODI series against the West Indies, starting at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram this Sunday. The second match is scheduled for Guwahati on September 30, followed by the final game in New Chandigarh on October 3. Additionally, India will play five ODIs in New Zealand and three against Sri Lanka later this year, along with a three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe at the beginning of 2027.
The squad for the West Indies series includes Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul (vice-captain), Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Auqib Nabi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Naman Dhir.