Shahid Afridi defended Indian veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, emphasizing their importance for the 2027 World Cup after impressive performances in ODIs against Australia and South Africa. He also criticized India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, for mixed results, noting that his initial confidence has not always translated into success.
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi launched a fresh attack on India head coach Gautam Gambhir while backing veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the World Cup 2027. Afridi, while speaking to Telecom Asia, highlighted the duo’s strong performances in the recent ODI series against Australia and South Africa, and said they remain critical to India’s ODI plans. The Pakistan stalwart opined that India should use the greats efficiently, playing them in prominent series while allowing them to rest when up against lower-ranked teams.
“It’s a fact that Virat and Rohit are the backbone of the Indian batting line-up,” Afridi said. “The way they have played in the recent ODI series, it can confidently be said that they can play until the 2027 World Cup.
“You need to preserve both these stars. When India is playing against a weaker team, they can try some new players and rest Virat and Rohit.”
Afridi and Gambhir have shared a frosty relationship over the years, and the Pakistan all-rounder didn’t shy away from taking a sharp dig at the head coach. Notably, Gambhir has tasted mixed results with Team India. While the side has tasted success in the limited-overs cricket, having won the Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup, the results in Tests have been equally poor, with series defeats to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. “The way Gautam started his stint, it looked like he thought that what he thinks and says is right, but after some time, it was proved that you are not always right.”
Meanwhile, Afridi also praised Rohit Sharma for breaking his record for most sixes in ODIs. Afridi, who played with Rohit during his stint with Deccan Chargers in IPL 2009, said he knew Rohit would make it big in international cricket.
