The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has sent a resounding message of support for Rohit Sharma, with Yograj Singh, father of former cricketer Yuvraj Singh, urging the board to consider Rohit for as long as his form and fitness hold up, suggesting that the Indian captain can play till he’s 50.
Speaking to Sports18 in an exclusive interview, Yograj Singh emphasized the need to break free of the traditional ‘age-factor’ mindset in Indian cricket. He highlighted Rohit Sharma’s fitness and performance, suggesting that age should not be a determining factor for a player’s career length.
Yograj Singh said
“In our country, people believe that once you’re 40, you’re old, it’s time to have kids, you’re done. The truth is that you are not finished,” Yograj Singh said, challenging the conventional belief that a player’s career is over once they near 40.
Yograj Singh drew parallels with other players who have excelled in their late 30s and beyond, citing the example of Mohinder Amarnath, who was 38 years old when he played a crucial role in India‘s World Cup victory in 1983.
“Mohinder Amarnath was 38 years old when he won India the World Cup. He was the Player of the Match in the final. So, I feel that in Indian cricket, the age factor should be scrapped once and for all,” Yograj Singh added.
He also praised Rohit Sharma’s approach to the game, likening him to Virender Sehwag in terms of not relying heavily on fitness and training regimes.
“Rohit Sharma and Viru [Virender Sehwag] are two such great players who have never thought about fitness and training. If he does, he can play till he is 50,” Yograj Singh said, expressing confidence in Rohit’s ability to continue performing at the highest level.
Rohit Sharma, who is currently 37 years old, has expressed his desire to continue playing till the 2027 World Cup in South Africa. However, his immediate focus is on regaining his form, having scored 349 runs in 13 matches, and leading India in the upcoming T20 World Cup and other significant tournaments on the horizon.
The BCCI’s support for Rohit Sharma, as echoed by Yograj Singh, signals a shift in mindset towards age and performance in cricket, emphasizing the importance of fitness and form over chronological age in determining a player’s career longevity.
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