Virender Sehwag backs Rohit Sharma to be leading run-scorer in ODI World Cup 2023

Legendary India batter Virender Sehwag believes that Rohit Sharma will do well in the much-awaited ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. The tournament is scheduled to be contested in India from October 5 to November 19, with the 2019 World Cup finalists England and New Zealand playing the curtain raiser at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Meanwhile, the hosts will open their campaign against the five-time champions Australia on October 8 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Despite India getting knocked out in the semifinal, Rohit has had an impressive campaign in the 2019 edition, as he finished on top of the run charts and also smashed five centuries. He amassed a total of 648 runs from nine matches at an astonishing average of 81.00 during the last edition of the showpiece event.

Speaking to ICC (International Cricket Council), Sehwag stated that the opening batters will score a lot of runs in the forthcoming World Cup. The 44-year-old tipped that Rohit will be the leading run-scorer in the tournament, pointing out Indian skipper’s energy level goes up during events like the ODI World Cup.

“I think lots of openers because India has a good wicket, so openers will get more opportunities. I think if I want to pick one, I think Rohit Sharma. There are a couple of names, but I know I'm Indian and I should pick Indian, so Rohit Sharma. 

“I'll pick Rohit Sharma, because when World Cups come, his energy level, his performance goes up. So I'm sure that and this time he's a captain also. So I'm sure that he will make a difference and he will get a lot of runs,” said Sehwag while speaking to ICC.

If Rohit plays all nine matches, he should score two centuries and one daddy hundred as an opener: Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra, former India opener, also stated that Rohit Sharma will make a major impact in the forthcoming World Cup. The 45-year-old added that he expects the India skipper to score two centuries and one daddy hundred as an opener if he plays all matches.

“When we talk about the top three, it seems like who is better than us? Sare jahan se acha Hindustan hamara (Better than all the others, our India) – you get a feeling like that from within because we have Shubman Gill alongside Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will come after them,” Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel. 

“Rohit Sharma has scored more than 9800 runs. He has scored 30 centuries, has an average of nearly 49, and a strike rate of 90. It's almost similar in Asia. So you can assume that Rohit Sharma is going to hit you. If he plays all nine matches, he should score two centuries and one daddy hundred as an opener. I am expecting that,” he added.