Sri Lanka bowling legend Muttiah Muralitharan thinks that Indian captain Rohit Sharma can play another ODI World Cup if he can push his fitness like teammate Virat Kohli. Rohit Sharma-led team India failed to win the ODI World Cup 2023 despite being top performers throughout the season. The Men in Blue were beaten by Australia in the final, who went on to lift the coveted title for a record sixth time.
Former Sri Lanka cricketer, Muralitharan, pointed out Sharma’s performance in the season and said that he can play the 2027 edition if he works hard on his fitness as his compatriot and teammate, Virat Kohli. Muralitharan told Jio Cinema, “You look at his ODI World Cup performance. The starts he gave, the kind of strike rates he batted at. He never failed in the tournament. And he’s only 36, that’s young. He can play another World Cup if he pushes his fitness like Virat.”
The 51-year-old commented on his performance in the T20 format and said that he can play in the T20 World Cup 2024 as well. Muralitharan said, “Why are people taking such harsh calls that it is the right time to go and bring youngsters. Until they are fit and performing, let them play. Rohit batted with a strike rate of 130 in ODIs, which is not bad for T20. He’s an experienced player. You just have to work harder on your fitness after 35. If the desire is there, he’ll play. I think he’ll definitely play another World Cup. It’s on his mind.”
The Indian skipper is 36 years old and is unlikely to participate in the 2027 edition of the ICC spectacle. Sharma amassed a total of 597 runs in 11 matches in the recently concluded tournament with an impressive strike rate of 125. By the time the next edition takes place, Sharma will already be 40 years old, and hence, it almost eliminates his chances of being a part of the squad.
