Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has heaped praise on senior Indian batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for their impressive form in ODIs, highlighting their importance ahead of the decisive third ODI against New Zealand at Indore on Sunday. Chopra reserved special praise for Virat Kohli, saying that the former Indian captain might be enjoying the best ODI phase of his career. Kohli’s recent performances have been hugely impressive.
Chopra also lauded Rohit Sharma, who has looked splendid at the top of the order but is yet to convert his starts into a century in the ongoing series. Chopra expressed his desire to see Rohit register a three-figure score in the series decider against New Zealand.
"There's no doubt that he (Rohit Sharma) is batting well. He batted well in Adelaide, scored a century in Sydney, and made fifties in the South Africa series. In the ongoing series as well, he has looked good for the time he batted. I don't think it is logical to judge Rohit Sharma at the moment, given the next ODI (after the New Zealand series) is about six months away. He doesn't have to prove anything. Let's hope we get to see Rohit score a century at Indore in the last match of the ongoing series," Chopra told ANI.
Chopra further lauded Kohli's form, noting Kohli currently looks supremely confident at the crease.
"You would not be asking me this had the World Cup been tomorrow. My perspective is that questions about his participation in the 2027 ODI World Cup should wait till 2027. However, the way he is playing currently, I don't think we have ever seen him bat this well in the ODIs."