Like a countdown ICC T20 World Cup 2026 start, the off-field camaraderie and on-field banter between Indian cricket icons continues to capture the imagination of fans. Recently ex-capt Rohit Sharma He caught the eye during an interview with Star Sports, where he playfully quashed any hopes of a mentoring role for his long-time teammate. Kuldeep Yadav.
The exchange, which has since gone viral, highlights the light-hearted but professional dynamic that has defined India’s recent period of dominance.
Rohit Sharma refuses to advise Kuldeep Yadav at one point
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 overzealous appeals, often urging his captains to take a leap of faith on marginal LBW shouts.
Asked if he had any pearls of wisdom for the wrist spinner ahead of the marquee event starting on February 7, Rohit didn’t hold back. He noted with his signature blunt humor:
“Koi advice nahi bhai sahab ko. Ball daal apna chup chap. Aur peeche ja, har ball pe you can’t appeal.” (No advice to the gentleman. Just pack your ball quietly and come back. You can’t apply on every delivery.)
This witty refusal comes on the heels of several viral moments since the end of 2025, where Rohit was seen dismissing Kuldeep’s DRS requests with a smile and a wave, much to the amusement of his senior colleagues like Virat Kohli. While the tone is humorous, it reflects a high-pressure environment where every glance is an untapped gold mine for the spinner’s optimism.
We present the video:
Rohit Sharma’s exclusive advice to Kuldeep Yadav for the T20 World Cup. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/7Mm2pvzVLF
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 20, 2026
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Selection puzzle of Kuldeep vs Varun Chakravarthy
Apart from joking, Rohit also addressed a major tactical headache for the Indian team management. Although India enters the 2026 tournament as the defending champions and co-hosts, Varun Chakraborty It made the XI difficult.
Chakravarthy, currently world no. 1 ICC T20I bowler, was a stratospheric 2025 and had 36 wickets in just 20 matches. His mystique factor keeps him locked in the starting line-up, but keeping him on par with Kuldeep, who was instrumental in the 2024 triumph with 10 wickets in 5 games, is a tough task.
Rohit emphasized that the biggest obstacle for the current management will be the bowling combination. “If you play with only two sailors, you can play them together“, Rohit pointed out and said India may have to sacrifice the pace option to bring out the ‘twin spin’ threat.
As India prepare to open their campaign against USA at the Wankhede Stadium, the toss-up between raw pace and deceptive spin remains a major talking point. Whether Kuldeep heeds 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 XI in first 3 games against New Zealand
