Former India batter Ambati Rayudu has heaped praise on ODI skipper Rohit Sharma, backing him to continue leading the Men in Blue until the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup. Rayudu, who represented India in 55 ODIs and six T20Is before turning into a cricket expert, firmly believes that Rohit’s impact as a captain and batter makes him irreplaceable in the 50-over format.

Speaking on Shubhankar Mishra’s YouTube channel, Ambati Rayudu highlighted that Rohit’s leadership qualities go beyond tactical awareness.

“You need to look at who can win you the World Cup. If Rohit’s captaincy can do that, then he should continue till 2027. There is no one who can replace Rohit in ODIs. His captaincy, his batting, and the confidence he gives to players are extremely important. Rohit must be the captain in the 2027 World Cup,” Ambati Rayudu said.

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The next ODI World Cup is scheduled to be played in South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe in October-November 2027, featuring 14 teams. Rayudu feels Rohit’s experience and consistency will be crucial in India’s campaign to reclaim the trophy.

Under Rohit’s leadership, India came agonizingly close in the 2023 ODI World Cup, finishing as runners-up after dominating the group stage with nine wins and a semifinal triumph against New Zealand. However, in the final, India fell short against Pat Cummins’ Australia, losing by six wickets.

Rohit’s batting form was one of the tournament’s biggest positives. He amassed 597 runs, finishing as the second-highest run-scorer, with an impressive average of 54.27 and a strike rate of 125.94.

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Earlier, in the 2019 World Cup, Rohit created history by smashing five centuries, scoring 648 runs, although India missed out on the final under Virat Kohli. His World Cup pedigree stretches back to 2015 as well, where he was a key contributor until India’s semifinal exit. Ambati Rayudu’s endorsement only strengthens the growing sentiment that Rohit remains India’s best bet to guide them to World Cup glory in 2027.