‘They are starting to look for your successor’: Rohit Sharma faces direct warning from former England star

India’s Rohit Sharma (AP photo) Former England spinner Graeme Swann believes the growing debate over the futures of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli is an inevitable part of elite sport, especially as a new generation of talent begins to make headlines.Although India have two more ODIs in their ongoing series against Afghanistan, attention is already shifting to the challenges ahead, including the upcoming three-match ODI tour of England in July and preparations for next year’s ODI World Cup.Speaking to PTI, Swann said speculation about successors is something every big player faces, regardless of current form.“Absolutely. I think it’s inevitable for any player when you get into the latter stages of your career, the second half of your career, that you want people to naturally start looking for your successor, no matter how you’re doing,” Swann said.“And even when you’re at the top of your game, they’re still looking at who’s going to be the next Virat? Who’s going to be the next Rohit when they’re gone? That’s very natural.“And the minute you have one or two low scores, everyone starts looking over your shoulder and seeing who’s next.“And obviously with Sooryavanshi and some of the youngsters coming through, it puts even more onus on the guys, especially at the top of the order in India.Swann believes the next few weeks could be particularly significant for Rohit Sharma as India continue to balance between veteran batsmen and rising stars.“So I think it’s been a massive six weeks for Rohit. But like I said, he’s looked great in the IPL and he’s still one of the best players, let’s face it.”“So if I was an England bowler, I really wouldn’t want to play against Rohit Sharma, who is desperate to prove a point and keep his place.India’s ODI series in England is already attracting considerable interest and Swann expects Rohit and Kohli to remain in the limelight.“Yeah, it’s going to be massive. Whenever England play India, it’s a massive series, especially recently.”“And with all the nonsense going on in England as well, I think they’ll really appreciate a bit of attention being paid to the actual cricket rather than off the pitch.”When asked which of India’s veteran stars will be under more scrutiny in terms of the series and the build-up to the 2027 ODI World Cup, Swann highlighted Kohli’s excellent IPL campaign. The 37-year-old amassed 675 runs in 16 matches during IPL 2026, cementing his status as one of the world’s leading batsmen.At the same time, Swann rejected suggestions that the England series should be seen as a crucial audition for India’s senior stars ahead of the next World Cup.“From England’s point of view, England will be hoping that Virat and Rohit are sidelined as the World Cup approaches and they won’t think about it because it will affect the performance.”“India have to make sure it doesn’t derail them. But this is Rohit and Virat. They know what they are doing and they will go there.”“It should be, touch wood, it should be dry and the ball shouldn’t be doing much at that time.“The white ball tends to be easier to hit than the red ball in England. So it could be very good batting conditions for both of them, which doesn’t bode too well for England.”The conversation also turned to how many players see the future of Indian cricket. Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is on the verge of making his international debut after being called up for India’s T20I tour of Ireland and England following his extraordinary IPL season.Swann admitted he was deeply impressed by the teenager’s rapid development.“Yes, it’s a special talent. Like I said before, I wouldn’t want to jump him.”“He’s at that age where he’s completely fearless because he hasn’t experienced failure.“But you know when you’ve done well before and in the big under-19s when you go into the IPL and people say, you know, after he’s had a couple of starts and then you remember people bowling yorkers and saying, ‘Oh, we’ve found him.’“You can’t do that over and over and over again against the world bowlers.“But he got better and better as the IPL progressed.“And those few 90s in the playoffs, that was ridiculous.“I was there for one of them, the one in Chandigarh. It was the bravest knock from a 15-year-old kid.”“He’s at world level and I’m glad I’m not playing anymore.”