Rohit Sharma remains determined to represent India at the 2027 ODI World Cup, but his fitness and ability to manage his workload have become important talking points as he approaches the final phase of his international career. At 39, the former India captain faces growing scrutiny over his physical condition, particularly with the next 50-over World Cup scheduled to be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. While Rohit has frequently faced criticism over his fitness, former India strength and conditioning coach Soham Desai has offered a different perspective on the batter’s training routine.
Speaking on a podcast with Prashant Desai, Soham revealed that a serious hip-related injury in 2017 forced Rohit to adopt a specialised fitness programme to prolong his career. Soham also challenged the perception that the Indian opener is lazy or does not work hard enough behind the scenes. He explained that Rohit’s injury history has made regular strength training essential to maintaining his physical condition and preventing further problems.
“So, people say this Rohit is lazy, mota hai (he’s fat), training nahi karta hai (doesn’t train). People need to understand this: Rohit Sharma had a career-threatening injury around his hip in 2017 – Champions Trophy jab hum log hare the Pakistan ke samne final, wo wali mein (during the Champions Trophy 2017). So he has got surgeries in his hamstring and his hip flexor and all that,” Soham Desai said.
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According to the former strength and conditioning coach, Rohit’s hip remains a vulnerable area even though several years have passed since the injury. Consequently, maintaining a consistent training schedule has been crucial to helping the experienced batter remain available for international cricket.
Soham Desai explained that Rohit needs to complete at least two strength-training sessions every week to manage the risk associated with his injury history. Missing those sessions could compromise his physical condition and increase the likelihood of further complications. “Around his hip is his weak spot. If he doesn’t train for a minimum of two strength sessions in a week, he is a red flag, he is a ticking bomb. And that is the scenario for the last seven to eight years. So if he was not working hard, if he was lazy, he wouldn’t have lasted till today,” Soham added.
He further highlighted Rohit’s longevity, pointing to his ability to score runs, lead an Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise and compete across formats despite his physical challenges.
“Forget about scoring runs, leading (in) IPL, playing twelve months, all formats. For the last seven-eight years, so it has been non-negotiable. Either he has to do that or he has to work in a particular manner on the ground. Without those two, he cannot last and this is not a secret. It is in public domain,” he said.
Soham also explained why Rohit’s training programme differs from that of Virat Kohli, who is widely recognised for his fitness and athleticism. According to him, Rohit requires a combination of strength training, explosive movements, reaction-based exercises and regular running to maintain his physical readiness. “Rohit is very strength based and very explosive and reactive based. And Virat almost never runs in comparison because he doesn’t need to. His (Kohli’s) work comes from the ground, and he only does lifting and basic strength work when it comes to training.”
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He explained that Rohit’s running routine helps maintain the condition of his hamstrings, quadriceps and other muscles, while targeted strength exercises address the areas affected by his injury history. Meanwhile, Rohit’s retirement from T20 internationals and Test cricket has given him greater control over his schedule. With fewer commitments across formats, the veteran batter can devote more time to recovery, fitness and preparation for the remaining stages of his ODI career.
“He has gotten time now. He retired from T20Is and Tests. So he’s got time where he can control things. When you are on the road playing three formats, you cannot control things. You have to play by what the game dictates,” Soham Desai said.
With the 2027 ODI World Cup potentially representing a major milestone in Rohit’s career, maintaining his fitness alongside consistent performances will be crucial. Soham’s comments underline that the batter’s training requirements are shaped by his injury history and that his fitness routine plays a significant role in extending his career at the highest level.
