Indian veteran Rohit Sharma is all set to make his return to ODIS when India takes on England in a three-match ODI series beginning on July 14 at Edgbaston. Rohit's inclusion in the squad comes after a successful outing in India's recent ODI series against Afghanistan, where he showed promising form with the bat, accumulating 143 runs across three matches, while registering a half-century. The upcoming ODI series against England gives Rohit an opportunity to bolster his place in India's ODI plans because there have been discussions surrounding Rohit's long-term future in the ODI format.
With the 2027 ODI World Cup still some time away, there have been dividing opinions over Rohit's future in the side. Meanwhile, former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar, weighing in on the discussion, felt that team planning should take priority over individual careers.
"I mean this will become controversial. But I think I should not care; I have not cared for all these years. We are in mid-2026, and that World Cup is in late 2027. I think India have options. Virat Kohli, with his sheer fitness, is making a strong case. But what happens here is when we select, we are thinking Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma. We should think about what is best for Indian cricket," Sanjay Manjrekar said on Sony Sports.
Manjrekar further stressed that the team management must look for players who can contribute consistently over the next few years.
"Opening in 50 overs is fun. It is a rehabilitation programme. That, I think, you should give to a player who is in his prime and has got another 5-10 years. If you are thinking only about Rohit Sharma, it's not right. You have to think about Indian cricket, the future of Indian cricket. In that space, I don't think Rohit Sharma would be my choice in the squad," he said.