Four World Cups Taught Jonty Rhodes Why India Need Rohit Sharma

Jonty Rhodes believes Rohit Sharma's experience could prove invaluable to India at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027, particularly when the pressure of a global tournament begins to separate mental strength from sheer talent.

Rhodes, one of cricket's most celebrated fielders, has experienced the intensity of four World Cups himself. While he never progressed beyond the semi-finals, that experience has given him a different perspective on what players need when the stakes are at their highest.

Speaking to JioStar, the Rotterdam Dockers co-owner argued that World Cup experience is an often-overlooked factor when teams assess players.

"You've got to remember that having experience at a World Cup is another factor that we don't factor in," Rhodes said.

"We look at the talent of the players, the ability that they've got and their performances. Maybe they've had a great knock and had a good season. But when it comes down to pressure moments, a World Cup is very much high pressure."

For Rhodes, the physical demands of international cricket are only one part of the equation. The ability to handle the mental strain of a World Cup can be equally important.

"Players can look after themselves physically, but that mental strength is something that we don't often factor in when it comes to selection," he said.

"But as somebody who's played in four Cricket World Cups without getting past two semi-finals, I know how stressful it can become. So having someone like Rohit Sharma in your squad is such an asset at a World Cup."

Why Rohit Sharma's experience matters

Rhodes' assessment comes with Rohit having already experienced the full spectrum of World Cup cricket.

The former India captain has played in multiple editions of the tournament and has been part of teams that have navigated the immense expectations surrounding Indian cricket.

For Rhodes, that familiarity with the environment can become particularly valuable when matches enter decisive stages.

Rather than simply looking at whether a player is in form, Rhodes believes teams should also consider whether they have individuals who understand how to handle the pressure that accompanies knockout cricket.

That is where Rohit's presence could become an asset to Shubman Gill's India in 2027.

Rhodes on what makes Virat Kohli special

Rhodes also highlighted the mentality that has made Virat Kohli one of India's defining cricketers.

For him, Kohli's defining quality is an almost relentless desire to win.

"We have watched Australia win so many World Cups and seen their aggression and the expectation to win almost. And I think that's what Virat has been," Rhodes said.

"He has had this absolute hunger to win games for his team."

Rhodes particularly pointed to Kohli's extraordinary record when chasing targets, describing him as the ultimate finisher for India.

"When you're the leader and the captain of a setup, and you can consistently be the best chaser in the world, it just shows how determined you are to be the guy that gets the team over the line," he said.

"When he chases down scores for such a long period of time, he has been the ultimate finisher of the game for India."

Rhodes also believes Kohli thrives on the competitive edge of cricket rather than being distracted by it.

"He just has such a huge drive to win games for India, and whether he's captain or not, he'll still have that drive. He just wants India to win."

Shubman Gill must embrace the senior players

With Shubman Gill now leading India, Rhodes believes one of the young captain's biggest strengths could be his willingness to draw on the experience around him.

The presence of players such as Rohit and Kohli should not, in Rhodes' view, be regarded as a challenge to Gill's authority.

"The key with being a leader is understanding that you've got these senior players around you, and it's not a negative mark on your captaincy if you ask around for help, or for opinions and ideas," Rhodes said.

The difficult part, he added, comes after those conversations.

"Obviously, as the leader and the captain, you have to make the final choice. That's often the hardest thing about captaining so many experienced players, they all give you great options, but you now have to make the call."

Rhodes has also been impressed by the consistency in Gill's demeanour.

"Shubman has been pretty consistent in his energy levels, the way that he conducts himself as a captain, and prior to that, as a player, it's all very consistent."

His advice to Gill is simple: remain himself.

"As long as he's not trying to be anybody else, which is impossible, because when you're under pressure, you always revert back to who you really are. He's gotten to that stride very quickly."

South African conditions could test India's fielding

The 2027 World Cup will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, meaning conditions across the tournament will present their own challenges.

Rhodes believes altitude will be one of the factors players need to understand, particularly when matches are played away from the coast.

"It's interesting because what is impacted in the field is often the altitude," he said.

"If you play at the coast, it's different to playing in Johannesburg or Pretoria, where altitude affects it."

He also expects the quality of South African pitches to create conditions in which batters can play aggressively.

"The wickets in South Africa are pretty good, so there is not going to be much contest between bat and ball. There is good carry."

Rhodes believes Indian batters have already demonstrated their ability to adapt to modern scoring methods, particularly through innovative shots.

"The Indian players ramp the ball so well. They get inside and scoop the ball so well, so they've adapted really quickly to the modern world of cricket."

The run-out that changed Rhodes' career

Rhodes' own relationship with World Cup cricket began with the moment that effectively transformed him from a talented South African cricketer into an international star.

His famous run-out during the 1992 World Cup brought global attention to his fielding ability, but Rhodes says another performance remains his favourite memory.

That came during the 1993 Hero Cup at Brabourne Stadium, where South Africa faced the West Indies in front of around 20,000 spectators.

Rhodes took five catches during the match, a feat he was later told was a world record for fielding.

"I didn't even know there were records for fielding, it was just something that I loved doing," he said.

But it was the reaction from the Indian crowd that made the occasion unforgettable.

"You kind of expect adoration and support in your own country, but when you're touring, and it was a neutral venue, we weren't playing against India. So, having 20,000 Indian fans chanting, 'Jonty, Jonty,' was something I will never, ever forget."

Now entering a new chapter as co-owner of the Rotterdam Dockers in the inaugural European T20 Premier League, Rhodes is bringing that experience into a different role.

But his message on India's 2027 World Cup prospects is rooted in something he learned during his own playing career: talent can win matches, but experience and composure become increasingly valuable when the pressure is at its highest.

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