Rohit Sharma playing a shot during the second ODI match against England. (ANI photo)

New Delhi: India’s bowling coach morne morkel has thrown its weight behind Rohit Sharma Amid growing scrutiny over the veteran opener’s form, he insisted there were “no worries” and expressed confidence that the former skipper would soon regain his rhythm in English conditions.Speaking ahead of the series-deciding third ODI against England at Lord’s on Sunday, Morkel dismissed concerns over Rohit’s scores of 11 and 26 in the first two matches, and said the challenging conditions for the opening batsmen have made life difficult throughout the series.

Morkel supported Rohit’s experience and composure

With speculation rife over Rohit’s ODI future ahead of the 2027 World Cup, Morkel highlighted the opener’s experience and the calming effect he has brought to India’s batting unit.Morkel said, “Playing in front with the new ball is a difficult task. We have seen it throughout the series. The ball is rotating. So it is not easy to bat in front. There is no doubt that Rohit will work on it.”“He has done this before. He is experienced and he brings calmness to the batting line-up. So, without a doubt, there are no worries or concerns with the way he is going about things,” he said.His comments come after Rohit’s modest return in the opening two ODIs, reigniting the debate over whether India should start planning ahead of the experienced opener with just a year left before the next 50-over World Cup.

Batting unit asked to adapt quickly at Lord’s

Defending Rohit, Morkel admitted that India’s batting overall needed to improve after failing to take advantage of a strong platform in the second ODI.Virat Kohli And Shreyas Iyer The foundation was laid, but the middle order could not accelerate as India finished at less than 233 runs, allowing England to level the series with a four-wicket win.Morkel advised India’s batsmen to respect the conditions at Lord’s before trying to dominate.“I think for them it’s just to give them a summary of the conditions. We’ve seen recently at Lord’s that it can be a difficult surface. So maybe give yourself an extra five to 10 balls to get used to the speed of the surface,” he said.He said India’s experienced top and middle order know how to build partnerships and stressed that a consistent partnership with both bat and ball will be crucial in the decider.

Middle overs wickets remain India’s biggest bowling concern

Despite praising the effort of the fast bowlers in the last game, Morkel admitted that India still needed to be more effective in breaking partnerships during the middle overs.He said the pace attack had executed the plans well, particularly with Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar using the extra bounce effectively, but acknowledged that England’s Joe RootRemaining unbeaten on 99 runs, he showed the importance of not giving an easy path to the opposition during the innings.Morkel said, “Getting wickets in the middle stages is important. We will continue to work on ways to achieve those successes.” He also cautioned against putting too much pressure on the bowlers with technical advice before important games.

A day after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) quashed speculations of Rohit Sharma’s ODI retirement, the India skipper was seen sharing a light-hearted moment with head coach Gautam Gambhir on the balcony of Lord’s. Sharma, who was on the field for India’s optional practice session, met with the team management before entering their training session.

Retirement rumors gained momentum Following reports that the Indian team management wanted to move on from the experienced opener after the England series, BCCI secretary Devjit Saikia on Friday firmly dismissed them. The board official clarified that Rohit is not retiring after the Lord’s ODI and he will remain an integral part of India’s ODI setup.

With this the speculations came to an endRohit took part in India’s optional training session at Lord’s on Saturday, July 18. The captain was seen discussing with head coach Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak to return to form ahead of the series decider.

‘Rohit will come out of recession’

India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel also supported the opening batsman who is struggling with poor form, saying that Rohit has overcome similar phase before.

Morkel said, “It has become difficult to rotate the new ball. There is no doubt that Rohit Sharma will work on it, he has done it before also. Rohit has that experience and I am sure he will come out of it.”

Although Saikia ruled out Rohit’s retirement after the Lord’s ODI, he did not confirm whether the experienced opener will be part of India’s plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup. With Yashasvi Jaiswal awaited, the selectors are yet to take a decision on Rohit’s future as India begin preparations for the tournament in South Africa.

Rohit, Gambhir face to face again?

If Rohit is really unhappy with the Indian team management then it would not be the first time. During India’s ill-fated tour of Australia in 2024-25, Rohit arrived late for the practice session before the final Test in Sydney, and as per reports, Showed indifferent attitude to the head coach. Struggling badly for runs, the India captain even skipped the pre-match press conference, instead Gautam Gambhir addressed the media as India trailed 1-2 in the series.

Gambhir not only refused to confirm whether Rohit would play or not In the final test, when the journalists were asked why the captain was absent, he also silenced the journalists.

Gambhir had said, “The head coach is here. That should be enough.”

Saturday’s talks painted a very different picture. Rohit and Gambhir spent time talking and laughing on the Lord’s balcony ahead of India’s optional training session while bowling coach Morne Morkel addressed the media. It is noteworthy that during the press conference at Lord’s, no questions were asked on the speculations about Rohit’s retirement.

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former captain of india Sunil Gavaskar After the demise of this great West Indies player on Friday, tributes were paid to Sir Garfield Sobers, calling him the greatest cricketer the game has ever seen and a player whom every child dreams of becoming.Sobers, considered cricket’s greatest all-rounder, died at his home in Barbados, 11 days before his 90th birthday. During a career spanning two decades, he set new standards with his batting, bowling and fielding.“This is perhaps the saddest day for the game of cricket. The world’s greatest cricketer has left us. No words can do justice to the cricketer Sir Garfield Sobers.”“He was everything we dream of becoming when we pick up a bat or a ball as children,” Gavaskar was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.He said, “The memories keep coming back and I will always hold them close to my heart. Rest in peace, Sir Garfield. You will always be in our hearts.”Sobers represented the West Indies in 93 Test matches between 1954 and 1974. He scored 8,032 runs at an average of 57.78, including 26 centuries, and also took 235 wickets.A left-handed batsman, Sobers was equally effective as a left-arm fast-medium bowler, a left-arm orthodox spinner and a left-arm wrist spinner. He was also known as one of the finest fielders and closer catchers in the history of the game.His unbeaten 365 against Pakistan in 1958 was the highest individual score in Test cricket at that time. This record remained intact for 36 years.Another milestone came in 1968, when, playing county cricket for Nottinghamshire, he became the first player to hit six sixes in an over in first-class cricket. This feat came against Malcolm Nash of Glamorgan.Sobers was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1975 for his services to cricket. In 2000, he was named one of Wisden’s five cricketers of the 20th century.His name also lives on through the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, an annual ICC award given to the outstanding men’s international cricketer across all formats.

The International Cricket Council’s decision to revamp the format of the 2027 ODI World Cup has been criticized by several associate captains, who believe the changes will make it more difficult for emerging nations to compete in cricket’s showpiece event.

Approved at ICC annual conference, new structure will retain 14-team tournament Start a “Super Series” involving the three lowest ranked qualifying sidesOnly one team is advancing to the main competition.

The move has drawn strong reactions from Netherlands captain Scott Edwards, Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus and Scotland’s Richie Berrington, all of whom have questioned whether the changes are in line with the ICC’s goal of expanding the game globally.

Collaborative teams fear losing opportunities

The Associate nations have long pushed for greater representation at ICC events, with teams such as Scotland, Namibia and the Netherlands putting in memorable performances against Full Member sides in recent years. However, the latest restructuring has raised concerns that the road to the World Cup is becoming even more difficult.

Edwards described the decision as “incredibly disappointing”, arguing that Associate teams had spent years building competitive ODI schedules only to see their chances dwindle.

Also read: The World Cup needs more stories like Cape Verde. cricket only wants india vs pak

Edwards said, “Qualifying for the ODI World Cup is a huge achievement for any country, so when the reality of that opportunity changes after years of planning, it is incredibly disappointing.”

“The ICC talks a lot about growing the game globally, but decisions like this make it harder for associate nations to play against the best teams in the world.”

The Dutch captain said that matches against elite opponents are important not only to improve standards but also to inspire future generations of cricketers. In his view, sport should “create more opportunities on the global stage, not less”.

Erasmus echoed those concerns, stressing that ODI cricket remains the top format for players from Associate nations. He argued that qualifying teams should not face additional hurdles before getting the chance to compete against the world’s best.

For players from emerging cricket-playing nations, Erasmus said, the 50-over World Cup is “our longer form”, making access to the tournament even more important.

Meanwhile, Scotland captain Richie Berrington focused on the decision-making process. He urged administrators to involve players in a more meaningful way when introducing major changes to global tournaments.

“Players are not expected to make every decision, but we should be meaningfully consulted on decisions that have a significant impact on the game and players’ careers,” Berrington said.

“Better decisions are made when different perspectives are brought forward, and we are urging the sport to start doing just that.”

This criticism has also been supported by the World Cricketers’ Association, which has questioned the transparency of the decision. The players’ body argued that reducing opportunities for Associate teams runs contrary to cricket’s stated ambition of global growth and pointed out that countries have invested years in qualification pathways.

How does the new format of the ODI World Cup work?

The 2027 ODI World Cup, which will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, will have a new three-phase format. Although 14 teams will qualify for the tournament, not all of them will enter the main competition directly.

The three lowest-ranked qualifying teams will first compete in a “Super Series”, with only one side advancing to the next stage. After this the remaining teams will enter the main stage of the tournament.

From there, teams will be divided into two groups, with each side playing every other team in its pool. The top teams will then advance to the newly introduced “Super 7” stage, where they will play further matches to decide the four semi-finalists. The tournament will conclude with semi-finals and finals and is expected to feature 57 matches.

However, concerns for allies extend beyond the format. Many fear that increasingly complex qualification pathways will limit opportunities for exposure, funding and face elite opposition. For countries that are still trying to establish themselves on the world stage, such opportunities are invaluable.

That’s why captains like Edwards, Erasmus and Berrington have spoken out. At a time when cricket is trying to move beyond its traditional strengths, he believes the game should open more doors for emerging teams and not create new obstacles in their path.

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India’s Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (ANI photo)

Amid growing speculation over the ODI future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, former India batsman Mohammad Kaif has backed the experienced duo and stressed that their experience will be crucial if India are to challenge for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.The debate over Rohit and Virat’s place in India’s World Cup plans has intensified in recent weeks, with reports on social media suggesting that one or both of the senior batsmen could be phased out ahead of the marquee tournament. However, BCCI secretary Devjit Saikia recently dismissed rumors that the third ODI against England at Lord’s will be Rohit’s last appearance in the format.Speaking on Cricbuzz, Kaif said that India cannot ignore the experience of Rohit and Virat, especially considering the conditions expected in South Africa.

‘India will need Rohit and Virat in South Africa’

Kaif said the 2027 World Cup will present a completely different challenge compared to previous editions, making the presence of experienced campaigners invaluable.Mohammad Kaif said, “The 2027 phase will be very important. People are talking about Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma because it will not be an easy World Cup. The conditions will be different, there will be bouncy pitches and India will need both of these players there. We would definitely like them to play as many matches as possible from now on and be in good form.”

Lionel Messi comparisons

Kaif compared the importance of Rohit and Virat to football legend Lionel Messi, saying that experienced players often contribute beyond just scoring runs or goals.He said, “Lionel Messi is 39 years old and his team has reached the FIFA World Cup final. He did not score in the semi-finals but provided an assist. That’s what experience brings. When you have young players who can finish the job, experienced players know how to guide them and create opportunities, so just like Messi is for Argentina, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are for India in the World Cup.” The former India batsman said that the value of experience remains the same in all sports.Kaif concluded, “Whether it’s football or cricket, experience plays a huge role. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are considered among the greatest ODI players, so India will need 100 per cent from them, especially in South African conditions under captain Shubman Gill.”

Spain defender Aymeric Laporte believes referees should do more to control Argentina’s physical style of play ahead of Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final, saying too many have been allowed to pass unpunished in recent matches. Speaking to Spanish newspaper Marca, Laporte said he has no problem with offensive football as long as authorities consistently enforce the laws.

Spain will face Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the World Cup final after defeating France 2-0 in the semi-finals, while the defending champions defeated England 2-1 to book their place in the title match. As the countdown to the final accelerates, Laporte admitted Spain are wary of Argentina’s combative attitude but insisted the responsibility rests with the referee.

“I have no problem with aggression if it’s within football and the referee does his job,” Laporte told Marca.

“It’s true that in recent matches we have seen things that have surprised us, especially involving Argentina. They are a team that give up a lot on challenges and I don’t think that should be allowed, especially in such big competitions.”

The former Manchester City defender argued that repeatedly allowing heavy challenges could affect the rhythm of the game and lead to flare-ups unnecessary conflict between players.

“Those actions can upset you and make you angry. I think it’s part of the referee’s job to control those situations. If one or two players are allowed to do that, the match becomes chaotic,” he said.

Laporte compared Argentina’s style to Spain’s own approach, and described Luis de la Fuente’s side as Relies on discipline rather than intimidation.

“Since the beginning of the tournament we have been a very fair team. We are not one of those players who try to hurt opponents or commit fouls carelessly. We have to stay true to that, but a lot depends on the referee. There has to be someone who controls those actions so that it is football and nothing else.”

half mission

Laporte also revealed that Spain deliberately kept the celebrations low-key after eliminating France because the team believes the work is not finished yet.

He said, “When we beat France, we celebrated in the dressing room, but it was not crazy because our aim is not to beat France but to win the tournament. Only completing half the mission is not enough for us.”

The centre-back said Spain have maintained the same mentality throughout the competition, despite entering the tournament with lower expectations than some of the favourites.

“A lot of people didn’t believe in us from the beginning, but we believed in ourselves. Anything other than winning would be a disappointment for us.”

praise messi

Laporte also had warm words for Argentina captain Lionel Messi, calling the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner one of football’s all-time greats, while expressing hope that Spain will have a fairy-tale ending.

“He’s been a legend since we were kids. We’ve all seen videos of Leo. He’s an incredible footballer and we’ve all enjoyed watching him over the years. But now I hope it’s not for him. I hope it’s for us.”

Spain is attempting to win its second World Cup title, while Argentina are aiming to successfully defend the title they won in Qatar four years ago.

FIFA World Cup | fifa world cup schedule | fifa world cup points table | football news

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India Today Consulting Editor Rajdeep Sardesai joins football experts Karim Bencherifa, Ranjit Bajaj, Siddhant Ani and host Nikhil Naz for an exclusive FIFA World Cup Final preview. Can Lionel Messi inspire Argentina to glory, or will Spain’s young star complete his fairy tale? The panel discusses all this in this roundtable session.