Shahid Afridi has thrown his weight behind Indian icons Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, dismissing chatter around phasing the duo out of the ODI setup. The former Pakistan skipper insisted that both batters remain the pillars of India's lineup and should continue till the 2027 ODI World Cup.
"It’s a fact that Virat and Rohit are the backbone of India’s batting order," Afridi said in a report carried by Telecom Asia Sport. "Judging by their recent performances, I firmly believe they can play till the 2027 World Cup."
Afridi suggested that India should manage the workload of the senior pair wisely rather than move beyond them. According to him, Kohli and Sharma should be preserved for big tournaments and strong opposition.
"India can rotate new players when facing weaker sides, but Virat and Rohit must be retained for major series," he added. The 44-year-old also made a sharp remark about India head coach Gautam Gambhir, a former rival with whom he has shared many heated exchanges on the field.
"When Gambhir began his coaching stint, it seemed he believed that only his viewpoint was correct. But soon it became clear that nobody is right all the time," Afridi said.
Rohit Sharma breaking his records delights Shahid Afridi
Afridi further expressed happiness over Rohit Sharma surpassing his tally of ODI sixes. Rohit recently overtook Afridi’s mark of 351 sixes, moving to 355 during the Raipur ODI against South Africa.
"Records are meant to be broken," Afridi reflected. "I’m glad someone I’ve always admired has bettered it. My fastest century record stood for 18 years before it fell, that’s how cricket evolves."
Afridi also recalled having played alongside Rohit for Deccan Chargers during the IPL’s inaugural season in 2008. He said Rohit's talent was evident from the start.
"Even during practice, his class stood out. I knew he would play for India one day and he has proved himself brilliantly," Afridi added.
