‘His record speaks for itself’ - Ajit Agarkar commends Rohit Sharma, stresses skipper's importance in team India

After the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy saw its final game in Ahmedabad, India retained the coveted trophy after winning the series 2-1 against Australia. Following the end of the Test series, both teams will now take each other on for a three-match ODI series that is scheduled to begin on March 17.

However, as the series commences, India will be without the services of skipper Rohit Sharma, as he will be absent from the first ODI between India and Australia due to family commitments. In his absence, Hardik Pandya will be leading the hosts in the first match.

Even though Rohit will be missing the first ODI, it did not stop former India pacer Ajit Agarkar from lauding the star batter's records. Agarkar opined that he had no doubts that once Rohit joins the camp for the remaining ODIs, he will continue showing his batting prowess.

I just hope he plays every game that India plays from now on: Agarkar

Talking about the skipper's excellence on the Star Sports show ‘Game Plan’, Agarkar did not shy away from heaping praise on Rohit. He also opined that Rohit giving himself time and not trying to attack right from the start was integral to him getting a century against Australia in the first Test.

"His record speaks for itself. You do not need to say anything about Rohit's performance in white ball cricket. He has taken a slightly different approach at times, trying to be the aggressor at the top of the order. Maybe, he changed it a little bit in the last series, giving himself a little more time, and got the hundred. I just hope he plays every game that India plays from now on, every one-day, because you want your captain out there to just have a pattern of play," Agarkar added.

"He is missing the first one due to personal reasons. From thereon, you will not have enough one-days to formulate your plans. You want Rohit out there, as physically demanding as it can be for the captain; you want him not to miss any games. With regards to his batting, I do not think there are any issues," he added.