"Look at MS Dhoni even now" - Former Indian captain's massive claim on Rohit Sharma after AUS vs IND 2025 ODIs

Former Indian captain Kris Srikkanth hailed Rohit Sharma for becoming the No. 1-ranked batter in the latest ICC ODI rankings for the first time in his illustrious career. Srikkanth also believes Rohit's ascent to the top at his age is evidence that selection should hinge purely on fitness.

The 38-year-old was at his best with the willow in the recently concluded three-match ODI series against Australia despite questions about his age and fitness.

Rohit scored 202 runs at an average of 101 in the three matches, including a century and a half-century. The champion batter also became the oldest Indian to achieve the No.1 ranking in ODIs at 38 years and 183 days.

Talking about Rohit Sharma's incredible rise to the mountain top on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth said (15:30):

"It shows that age alone shouldn't be a deciding factor. Rohit Sharma is still fit, which is why he performed brilliantly in the 2023 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy. Look at MS Dhoni even now, how fit he is at 44. Even today, look at the way he is keeping and running between the wickets. Can anyone else keep wickets like Dhoni at this age? Impossible. His stumpings are still lightning fast. So it's only a question of fitness."

He added:

"The ranking is a giveaway that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will definitely play the 2027 World Cup. The top three is surely going to be Rohit, Virat and Shubman Gill (because all three in the top six in the rankings)."

Shubman Gill replaced Rohit as India's ODI captain ahead of the Australian series. It came months after the latter retired from Tests, with Gill replacing him at the helm ahead of the England tour.

"Being mentally fit is the most important" - Kris Srikkanth

Kris Srikkanth praised the legendary trio of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni for their incredible performances even at an advanced age. At 38 and 36, Rohit and Kohli continue to produce results in their lone active format, ODIs, for India.

Meanwhile, Dhoni remains active in the IPL even at 44 and led the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for most of the 2025 season due to the injury to regular skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad.

"One is physical fitness but the other is mental fitness. Being mentally fit is the most important. That's where I like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and even MS Dhoni. Mentally, they are still fit and want to prove it to the world by winning matches for the team. That's why they are great cricketers," said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).

Kohli and Rohit will be in action next when India takes on South Africa at home in a three-match ODI series, starting November 30.

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Edited by Venkatesh Ravichandran