Rohit's childhood coach sends stern reminder to Gambhir on World Cup discussion: 'Don’t think he needs to prove anything'

Former India captain Rohit Sharma remains under pressure to retain his place in the ODI team on the road to next year's ICC World Cup in South Africa. Rohit, after all, had struck a magnificent century against Australia in Sydney last year that was followed a productive series against South Africa home, but had an underwhelming run against New Zealand, also on home soil, earlier this year. And in the most recent season of the Indian Premier League, the 'Hitman' had collected 283 runs in nine outings but had struggled with his fitness after suffering a hamstring injury close to the halfway stage, further raising doubts over his ability to stay fit for another year-and-a-half. Rohit's childhood coach, however, believes the 39-year-old doesn't need to "prove anything to anyone", and has backed him to fulfill his dream of winning the ODI World Cup – which he had narrowly missed out on on home soil in 2023.

"Being a coach, I don’t think he needs to prove anything to anyone. He badly wants to win the ODI World Cup. I have spoken to him and he is very categoric with what he wants in career. I don’t think he needs to prove his fitness.

Despite the age factor, he is still fit enough," Lad told news agency Press Trust of India on Friday. "Critics keep talking. It’s their job. India needs Rohit’s experience if we want to reach the finals.

Technique wise there is no problem. Moreover, in 50 overs cricket, you need to settle a bit. "Rohit has got such technique that allows you to settle and then launch yourself. In IPL also, he showed his technique and he wasn’t only playing big shots but also taking the singles and the doubles.

I don’t understand the critics’ point of view. My view is that he must be in the team," he continued. Next six months crucial for all players, not just Rohit, says Lad Dronacharya Award-winning coach Lad, who has also mentored all-rounder Shardul Thakur among others, also slammed former India selector Saba Karim, who suggested that Rohit would have to "do a lot of heavy lifting" in the near future if he was to keep dream of playing the 2027 ICC World Cup alive. "Why are the next six months crucial only for only Rohit?

It’s crucial for all players. Everyone needs to play well to retain their place in the team. I have a 100 per cent guarantee that Rohit will definitely play the 50-over World Cup in 2027. "He will do well during these six months and the later as well.

If you give him an opportunity he will do well. I don’t think Rohit needs to prove anything to anyone. He has retired from Tests and T20Is, not ODI. And in whatever ODI matches he had played last, he did well.

I don’t think there is any pressure on him. "He has scored ODI double century thrice (no other Indian has done it even twice). His ODI records are impeccable. In the 2019 World Cup he scored a record five centuries," Lad continued.

Rohit makes his first appearance for the Men in Blue since January in the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan. His participation, however, is subject to a fitness assessment, for which he will be reporting to the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on Monday.