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As the countdown to the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 begins, the off-field camaraderie and on-field banter between Indian cricket icons continue to capture the imagination of fans. Recently, former captain Rohit Sharma stole the spotlight during an interview with Star Sports, where he playfully shut down any hopes of a mentorship role for his long-time teammate, Kuldeep Yadav.
The exchange, which has since gone viral, highlights the light-hearted yet professional dynamic that has defined India’s recent era of dominance.
Rohit Sharma declines to offer advice to Kuldeep Yadav in a light-hearted moment
The relationship between Rohit and Kuldeep is a storied one, often marked by the spinner’s desperate pleas for a Decision Review System (DRS) call. Historically, Kuldeep has been known for his over-enthusiastic appeals, frequently badgering his captains to take a leap of faith on marginal LBW shouts.
When asked if he had any pearls of wisdom for the wrist-spinner ahead of the marquee event starting February 7, Rohit didn’t hold back. With his signature blunt humour, he remarked:
“Koi advice nahi bhai sahab ko. Ball daal apna chup chap. Aur peeche ja, har ball pe you can’t appeal.” (No advice for the gentleman. Just bowl your ball quietly and go back. You can’t appeal on every delivery.)
This witty refusal comes on the heels of several viral moments from late 2025, where Rohit was seen dismissing Kuldeep’s DRS requests with a smirk and a wave, much to the amusement of fellow seniors like Virat Kohli. While the tone was humorous, it reflects the high-pressure environment where every review is a goldmine that cannot be squandered on spinner’s optimism.
Here’s the video:
Rohit Sharma’s exclusive advice to Kuldeep Yadav for the T20 World Cup. 🤣
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)
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The selection puzzle of Kuldeep vs Varun Chakaravarthy
Beyond the banter, Rohit touched upon a significant tactical headache for the Indian team management. India enter the 2026 tournament as defending champions and co-hosts, but the emergence of Varun Chakaravarthy has complicated the XI.
Chakravarthy, currently the world no. 1 ICC T20I bowler, had a stratospheric 2025, claiming 36 wickets in just 20 matches. His mystery factor makes him a lock for the starting lineup, but fitting him alongside Kuldeep, who was instrumental in the 2024 triumph with 10 wickets in five games is a challenge.
Rohit emphasized that the biggest hurdle for the current leadership will be the bowling combination. “You can only play them together if you play with only two seamers,” Rohit noted, suggesting that India might have to sacrifice a pace option to unleash their “twin spin” threat.
With India set to open their campaign against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium, the toss-up between raw pace and deceptive spin remains the primary talking point. Whether Kuldeep listens to Rohit’s advice to “just bowl” remains to be seen, but his role as a match-winner remains undisputed.
Also READ: IND vs NZ 2026, T20I series: India’s best playing XI for the first 3 games vs New Zealand
