As Rohit Sharma sets his sights on the 2027 ODI World Cup, questions surrounding his fitness and training habits have once again surfaced. The veteran batter, now 39, faces the challenge of maintaining his form and physical condition to remain a part of the national team's plans for the tournament, which is scheduled to be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
Addressing recent public criticism that labeled the former captain as "lazy" and unwilling to train, former India strength and conditioning coach Soham Desai provided context regarding the physical toll of his long career. Desai revealed that Sharma suffered a significant, career-threatening hip injury during the 2017 Champions Trophy. According to Desai, this medical history necessitated surgeries involving his hamstring and hip flexor, leaving the hip area as a lingering vulnerability.
Desai emphasized that the perception of Sharma's work ethic ignores the medical realities he has navigated for nearly a decade. "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," Desai stated. He explained that the batter remains a "ticking bomb" if he misses his required regimen, noting that a minimum of two strength sessions per week is essential to prevent injury flare-ups.
Despite the physical hurdles, Desai argued that Sharma's continued presence at the top level serves as evidence of his dedication. "If he was not working hard, if he was lazy, he wouldn’t have lasted till today," he added, noting that managing this specific area has been a consistent requirement for the last seven to eight years of the athlete's career.
Support for the veteran batter has also come from former New Zealand assistant coach James Pamment, who worked closely with Sharma during his tenure as the Mumbai Indians' fielding coach. Pamment suggested that players of Sharma's stature have earned the autonomy to decide when to conclude their careers. He remarked that if the World Cup is a "pinnacle event" the player wishes to attend, he deserves the support of the cricketing establishment, provided his performance remains at a level that contributes to the group.
Pamment, who spent eight years with the Mumbai Indians during their title-winning seasons in 2019 and 2020, also shared his perspective on the professionalism of senior Indian players. Reflecting on the standards held by top-tier athletes, he noted that their inclusion in the squad should ultimately be determined by their ongoing contributions and effectiveness on the field.
The fitness and form of senior players like Sharma and Virat Kohli will face an immediate test during the upcoming five-match ODI series against New Zealand, which is set to commence on November 4. India has not secured an ODI series victory in New Zealand since the 2018-19 season, adding a layer of significance to these fixtures as the team looks ahead to future ICC events.
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