Farokh Engineer picks a new opening partner for Rohit Sharma ahead of ODI World Cup 2027
India‘s batting combination for the 2027 ODI World Cup has already become a talking point, and former wicketkeeper Farokh Engineer has offered a bold solution following a youngster’s sizzling show with the bat. Engineer believes the young talent should be fast-tracked into India’s ODI side and partner Rohit Sharma at the top of the order. He also recommended shifting current captain Shubman Gill to the No. 4 position, arguing that the move would create a more balanced batting lineup.
Farokh Engineer suggests a new opening partner for Rohit Sharma in ODIs
Enginner reckoned that 15-year-old teenage prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi should be the new opening partner of Rohit in the 50-overs format. Suryavanshi has emerged as one of India’s brightest young talents after an extraordinary T20I series against Zimbabwe. The left-handed batter finished as the leading run-scorer in the three-match series with 151 runs at an average of 50.33 and an explosive strike rate of 196.10. His campaign featured two half-centuries and earned him the Player of the Series award while also breaking multiple records.
His fearless approach has caught the attention of several former cricketers, with Engineer becoming the latest to back the youngster for a bigger role in international cricket. Speaking about India’s ideal ODI batting order, Engineer suggested retaining Rohit at the top while pairing him with Suryavanshi to form a left-right opening combination. According to the former India wicketkeeper, Gill’s strengths could be better utilized in the middle order, while Virat Kohli should continue batting at No. 3.
“Gill is a class player. He, I think, is the best batsman in the team now. So, Gill should come at four. Gill is not a guy who lifts the ball. So, a left-right combination would be ideal in ODIs. So, if Rohit is playing, and I think he should be playing, let him open with Suryavanshi. A batsman like him is much better at opening because he finds bigger gaps in the field. Virat Kohli can come third. Gill can come fourth and then we’ve got a solid batting line-up,” Engineer said as quoted by India Today.
Shubman Gill’s outstanding record as opener presents a selection dilemma
While Engineer’s proposal offers an interesting tactical perspective, implementing it would require India to move one of their most successful ODI openers in recent years.cGill has built an exceptional record at the top of the order, opening in 60 of his 66 ODI innings. During that period, he has averaged an outstanding 59.18 and scored seven centuries, establishing himself as one of the world’s premier opening batters in the 50-over format.
Those numbers make it difficult for the team management to justify shifting him away from his preferred role, especially with the ODI World Cup less than a year away. Any change to India’s top order would therefore need careful consideration despite Suryavanshi’s impressive rise.
Former keeper believes the young star is ready for the 50-over challenge
Engineer also dismissed the notion that transitioning from T20Is to ODIs would be a major hurdle for Suryavanshi. He argued that the youngster’s confidence and attacking style would translate effectively into the longer white-ball format.
The numbers support that optimism. In List A cricket, Suryavanshi has already accumulated 564 runs from 13 matches at an average of 43.38 while maintaining a remarkable strike rate of nearly 177, underlining his ability to dominate bowling attacks beyond T20 cricket.
“This is probably the right time to draft Suryavanshi into India’s ODI side. I don’t know why people distinguish so much between ODI and T20 because for me, a half-volley is a half-volley. He’s been getting runs and he’s got the confidence to open the innings. He’ll win more matches for you than lose you. When he gives a start like that, the other players can have time to consolidate the innings and put on a big score,” Engineer added.
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