Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. (Photo Source: Instagram)
Former India skipper and world champion, Kapil Dev, feels Rohit Sharma needs to improve his fitness as he looks a bit overweight. The star batter who is in brilliant form is currently leading Team India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Recently, Sharma became the first Indian captain to score international centuries across all formats of the game. The 35-year-old batter, achieved the feat during the opening Test in Nagpur. After scoring 120 in the first Test, Rohit followed it up with 32 and 31 runs in the second Test in Delhi.
Despite Hitman’s brilliant outing in the first two Tests against Australia, Kapil Dev raised concerns over the India captain’s fitness. He added that the 35-year-old needs to work on his weight and being fit is more important, especially for the captain. The former all-rounder also hailed Rohit calling him a great batter and a great captain.
‘He looks a bit overweight, at least on TV’ – Kapil Dev seemingly unhappy with skipper Rohit Sharma’s fitness
“It is very important (to be fit). More so for a captain. It’s a shame if you are not fit. Rohit needs to put some hard work on it. He is a great batter but when you talk about his fitness, he looks a bit overweight, at least on TV,” Kapil Dev said while talking with ABP News.
“Yes, it’s different when you look at someone on TV and then in real life. But from whatever I see, Rohit is a great player and a great captain, but he needs to get fit. Look at Virat, whenever you see him, you say, ‘that’s some fitness!’,” said the former World champion captain.
Kapil himself was known for the fitness he held, at least for the standards that existed during his playing times, and could contribute with all round performance for the national side for an elongated career of over sixteen years.
Rohit Sharma & Co. are awaiting the third Test which will begin on March 1, at the Holkar Stadium, in Indore. The Rahul Dravid-coached side won the first two Tests and took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-match series. It is worth mentioning that the hosts won the series opener by an innings and 132 runs.
Following the first victory, the ruthless Indian side then claimed a six-wicket win in the second Test and consequently retained the Border Gavaskar Trophy. India are now one win away to book their spot in the World Test Championship final which will take place in June.
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