Former South African dashing batter AB de Villiers has come out in support of the Indian veteran opening batter Rohit Sharma to do well in India’s ICC ODI World Cup 2027 plans despite not being a consistent player for the Indian side.
Notably, India suffered a 1-2 ODI series defeat to England away from home. Nevertheless, AB pointed out the difference created by the veteran batting duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the Indian ODI squad.
While Rohit couldn’t make it big in the first two ODIs, scoring 11 and 26, he went on to score an exceptional 138-run knock off 110 balls in the third and final ODI at Lord’s. AB de Villiers reckoned that India needs big match players like Hitman in the ODI World Cup next year.
“You can see the difference that Virat and Rohit make in the team and the kind of belief they bring back into the side,” AB de Villiers said on his YouTube channel.
“He’s never been the most consistent player for a long period of time, a little bit up and down consistency-wise. But when the big matches present themselves, the big moments, Rohit Sharma needs to be on your side,” he added.
“You just can’t buy that at the supermarket, guys. What Virat and Rohit bring to the party, especially in pressure moments, changes everything,” he stated.
India will next play in the three-match ODI series at home against the West Indies, starting on Sunday, September 27. The series will play a crucial role in India’s plans for the ICC ODI World Cup 2027.
“You need that kind of experience in big tournaments. When you play big tournaments, it’s not your usual five-match ODI series in some country where there’s not a huge hype, or you’re not playing a different opposition every game. There’s a whole different kind of pressure when it comes to ODI World Cups and big tournaments, and that’s why I feel Rohit will play a big, big part,” he concluded.
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