Rohit Sharma a 'very very important' member of Indian ODI team, says member of Gautam Gambhir-led support staff

Rohit Sharma remains an important member of India's one-day setup in the build-up to next year's ICC World Cup despite a dip in his form in recent 50-over games, spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule said on Tuesday.

Both Rohit and fellow stalwart Virat Kohli have indicated that they intend to make one last appearance for the country at the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa after retiring from the Test as well as T20I formats. However, while Kohli's numbers in the ODI format have been solid, with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru star averaging 88 in nine matches since October last year, the same cannot be said for the Hitman.

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Rohit, after all, had collected just 61 runs in the three-match series against New Zealand in January at an average just north of 20. And in the first ODI against Afghanistan in Dharamsala, the Hitman was off to a promising start in the chase of a modest target of 195, only to be run-out for 16 after a mix-up with captain Shubman Gill.

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Rohit adds value with experience and leadership qualities, says Bahutule

Bahutule, who was recently appointed India's spin-bowling coach after the conclusion of the Indian Premier League, described the 39-year-old as a "champion of a cricketer" whose presence in the team is "very, very important".

"Rohit Sharma is an experienced player, he is a champion of cricketer. He is somebody who adds value to this team with his experience not only batting wise but his leadership qualities also rubs on to all the boys with Shubman also," Bahutule told reporters ahead of the second ODI against Afghanistan in Lucknow.

"Him being in this side is definitely very very important and he is somebody who understands each game, who understands what is expected from him and from the team.

"I think he is just been looking forward to every match and all the work he is putting in is like he has just started playing," the former India leg-spinner added.

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Rohit had struck an unbeaten 121 against Australia in Sydney last year and was also among the runs in the three-match ODI series against South Africa in November and will be hoping to regain his form in the remaining one-dayers against Afghanistan.

Kohli, meanwhile, has been rested for the ongoing series after a hectic IPL campaign, in which he finished as RCB's leading run-scorer for the fourth consecutive season and helped them successfully defend their title.