• Home
  • Who Said What
  • Upto Hardik How He Wants To Send Rohit Kohli Shoaib Akhtar On Captaincy Shift

'Upto Hardik How He Wants To Send Rohit, Kohli' - Shoaib Akhtar On Captaincy Shift 

image-lpdkf1n4Hardik Pandya could be India's next ODI and T20I skipper (Twitter)

Shoaib Akhtar made interesting remarks on India's post ICC World Cup 2023 transition phase saying it could be up to stand-in T20I skipper Hardik Pandya whether he wants to retain the services of greats Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli over the next four years. 

The former Pakistan fast-bowler believes "respect" will be key in Pandya, who is assumed to take over the full-time limited-overs captaincy from Rohit, deciding the course of action for his predecessor and his legendary teammate Kohli. 



Indications are strong that the two giants of Indian cricket will not be playing the T20Is anymore and it remains to be seen whether the two commit to the next cycle of ODIs leading into the 2027 edition of the World Cup. 

While Kohli is aged 35, Rohit is 36. Among the two, skipper Rohit is considered unlikely to appear in South Africa in four years' time. For Kohli, fitness standards and planning an itinerary with the selectors could be key in extending his career at the international stage in ODIs and Tests. 

Akhtar's Word On Pandya On How To Treat Kohli, Rohit 

Amidst speculations over the future of the two legends following the loss in the final of the World Cup 2023 in Ahmedabad, Akhtar said there is definitely cricket left in Rohit and Kohli. However, he underlined the importance of Pandya and what the premier India allrounder and incoming captain feels is best for the side when it comes to the two greats. 

"If you ask, do Rohit and Kohli have cricket left in them? Yes, definitely. Do you get a better opener than Rohit in the world right now? No, you don't," Akhtar told Zee News, stating either way respect is a must in treating the two stalwarts before giving them a send-off. 


"When Dhoni came, he gave respect to Sachin Tendulkar. When Virat came, he respected Dhoni. When Rohit replaced Virat, he also gave him respect. So, now it's up to Hardik Pandya how he wants to send these two great players off."


"It's up to him now to put his put down. And he has to bid them goodbye respectfully. They deserve this respect. I'm maybe putting pressure on Hardik Pandya through this but he needs to give that respect to Rohit and Kohli," he added.