“Rest Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma” - Shahid Afridi makes a startling statement on the Indian veteran batting duo

Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has backed the Indian talismanic batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to continue their good form and go on to play the ICC ODI World Cup 2027, scheduled to be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

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Moreover, Afridi went on to heap praises on the Indian batting duo for their heroics in the recently concluded South Africa ODI series, which India sealed by 2-1. He also requested the Indian team management to rest the veteran batting duo against weak teams.

Notably, Kohli was adjudged the player of the series for two centuries and an unbeaten half-century. On the other hand, Rohit was recently awarded the player of the series against Australia Down Under.

"It's a fact that Virat and Rohit are the backbone of the Indian batting line-up, and the way they have played in the recent ODI series, it can confidently be said that they can play until the 2027 World Cup," Afridi said as quoted by Telecom Asia Sport.

"You need to preserve both these stars, and when India is playing against a weaker team, they can try some new players and rest Virat and Rohit," he added.

Furthermore, Afridi lashed out at the Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir, who is having a poor red-ball record as a coach. For the unversed, Gambhir and Afridi had multiple on-field clashes during their playing days.

"The way Gautam started his stint, it looked like he thought that what he thinks and says is right, but after some time, it was proved that you are not always right,” Afridi stated.

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On the other hand, Rohit Sharma surpassed Shahid Afridi's 351 sixes in 398 matches during the second ODI against South Africa, in Raipur and now has 355 sixes in 279 ODIs. Now, Afridi has opened up on his record being broken by Rohit.

"Records are meant to be broken, and this too is now bettered. I am happy that a player whom I have always liked has broken this record. My record of fastest century stood for nearly 18 years, but it was finally broken, so records are set by one player and another player comes and breaks it. This is cricket,” he stated.

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