New Delhi, October 1, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Veteran India opener Rohit Sharma has set his sights on featuring in the 2027 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup, emphasising that maintaining fitness, working hard on his batting and delivering consistent performances in upcoming tournaments will be central to achieving his ambition.
Fresh from a magnificent century against the West Indies in Guwahati, Rohit said he was determined to remain focused on immediate assignments rather than become preoccupied with the prospect of playing in the next World Cup.
Speaking to JioStar, Rohit said his priority was to keep himself physically fit, maintain his form and perform consistently to remain capable of competing at the highest level until 2027.
He stressed that concentrating on the present had been the guiding principle throughout his career and that he intended to follow the same approach rather than change his methods.
Rohit also underlined his commitment to supporting India’s younger players, particularly captain Shubman Gill, as the team prepares for future challenges.
Rohit recently produced a memorable performance at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati, scoring 101 runs as India successfully chased a formidable target of 406 against the West Indies. He shared a commanding opening partnership of 255 runs with Gill, who remained unbeaten on 223.
With another strong performance expected from the senior opener, attention will now turn to the third ODI against the West Indies in New Chandigarh on Saturday.
Reflecting on Gill’s leadership, Rohit praised the young captain’s understanding of the game and clarity of thought, while cautioning against judging his captaincy too early.
Gill has been leading the side for approximately a year, and Rohit said his performances so far had been impressive. He particularly highlighted the importance of a captain having a clear understanding of his plans, enabling other players to operate with confidence.
Rohit also made it clear that stepping away from the captaincy had not diminished his involvement in guiding the team. He said his relationship with Gill remained unchanged and that he would continue to offer advice and support whenever required.
According to Rohit, a captain needs the confidence of the entire team and support from senior players and coaching staff to lead effectively. He reiterated that the collective objective remained to move Indian cricket forward.
The prospect of winning another World Cup also remains a major motivation for Rohit, who has experienced the achievement twice in the T20 format. He was part of India’s victorious squad at the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, when he was 20 years old, and later captained the team to the T20 World Cup title in 2024.
Rohit also recalled India’s Champions Trophy triumph in 2013 and the prolonged wait for another ICC title before the 2024 T20 World Cup victory.
He said winning a World Cup for India carried an incomparable emotional significance and that he wanted to experience that feeling again, making the prospect of lifting the 2027 ODI World Cup particularly meaningful to him.
While acknowledging his ambition, Rohit said he was not looking too far ahead or attaching any broader narrative to the possibility of another World Cup triumph. His immediate focus, he maintained, remained on fitness, hard work, consistent performances and contributing to the team’s success.
Rohit’s exclusive interaction, titled Bindass Rohit, is available on JioHotstar and the Star Sports Network.
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