Rohit, Kohli may not play 2027 World Cup: Gavaskar backs Bumrah for Test captain
New Delhi, May 13 (PTI): Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar says he does not foresee Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli playing the 2027 ODI World Cup as is being widely anticipated after the duo announced its Test retirement.
Gavaskar, who regards them as colossal figures in Indian cricket, does not believe that their recent Test retirement and last year's T20 retirement will have a bearing in enhancing their chances of playing the 2027 showpiece.
"No, I don't think they will be playing," Gavaskar told 'Sports Today'.
"...I'm being very honest, I don't think they'll be there. But who knows in the next year or so, they strike this rich vein of form and they keep scoring hundreds and hundreds and hundreds and even God can't drop them."
The pair was instrumental in India's Champions Trophy triumph earlier this year.
"Well, they have been massive performers in this format of the game. Do we feel that they will be in the team for the 2027 World Cup? Will they be able to make the kind of contribution they have been making?
"So that's going to be the thought process of the selection committee. And if the selection committee feels that 'yes', they will still be making that huge contribution that they have been making, then both of them will be there for that," added Gavaskar.
The former India captain wasn't surprised by Kohli's timing and said both players might have taken the decision after conversations with selectors, and appreciated that they exited on their own terms.
"...for both these wonderful, wonderful cricketers to go out on their own terms is what everybody wanted and that's what has happened. They have gone out where they have told the world that they have had enough."
Gavaskar gave credit to the current chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar for working in the interest of Indian cricket.
"I've never been a selector, so I wouldn't know. But that is exactly what you want to do. You want to see the growth of the team. You want to see the team move forward at pace. You don't want to see the team move forward in a sluggish manner.
"Sometimes you've got to take hard decisions, hard calls, because that's what this game demands," he said.
Bumrah for Test captain
Gavaskar backed Jasprit Bumrah to be India's next Test captain, dismissing workload concerns around the injury-prone pacer.
"Jasprit Bumrah for me... if you appoint somebody else, they will always want an extra over from Bumrah because he's your number one bowler capable of taking a wicket any time, you want that extra over.
"But Bumrah being the captain himself would know that 'look, this is the time that I must take a break. Yes, I've got a wicket in my previous over but my body says to me that I need a break'," he explained his reasons.
"So for me, it's got to be Bumrah only. I know there's kind of speculation going on about workload, but give it to him so he knows exactly how many overs to bowl, when to take himself off, when to sort of rest. So that would be the best thing."
On Rohit's retirement, Gavaskar said he never chased numbers and played with effortless grace.
"Yes, people might say he could've done more," Gavaskar said.
"But Rohit always played for the joy of the game, not for personal milestones. He was content with a quick 60 or 70, taking risks even after getting set. Maybe that cost him a few centuries, but that's what made him who he was -- a player you loved to watch."
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Experience comes when you play bigger teams in bilateral series: Rashid Khan
Chennai (PTI): Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan called for more bilateral series against stronger cricketing nations after his team signed off from the T20 World Cup on a high, defeating Canada in their final group match here on Thursday.
Afghanistan played some exhilarating cricket, going down to South Africa in a gripping second Super Over after the scores were tied, a humdinger that provided one of the early thrills of the World Cup.
However, the spin-bowling stalwart said Afghanistan could make significant strides if they get regular opportunities to compete against stronger cricketing nations.
"Couple of areas to improve, with the batting, the middle order got a bit stuck against the big teams, and then with the bowling the death overs. That comes when you play the bigger teams in bilateral series," said Rashid after his team defeat Canada by 82 runs, with him returning excellent figures of 2 for 19.
The stalwart said the side had arrived well prepared for the tournament and produced some breathtaking cricket, but admitted the narrow defeat to South Africa proved costly and remained a painful setback.
"We were well-prepared (for the tournament), we played some unbelievable cricket. The game against South Africa, that really hurt everyone. We had to win one of those (first two) games and see how the tournament unfolded. We'll take some positive things from this World Cup and look forward," he said.
With head coach Jonathan Trott set to part ways with the team, Rashid described the departure as an "emotional" moment for the side.
"I think we had some wonderful times with him. Where we are now, he played a main role. It's emotional to see him leave us, but that's how life is. We wish him all the best and somewhere down the line we see him again."
Ibrahim Zadran, who was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 95 off 56 balls, said it was satisfying to finally register a substantial score after two below-par outings.
"I enjoyed it, didn't play better cricket in first two innings, which I expect. Wanted to back my skills, really enjoyed it. Pressure was there, it's there all the time. I want to put myself in pressure situations and enjoy it," said Zadran.
"Wanted to play positive cricket, rotate strike and punish bad ball, create partnerships and this is what I have done."
