NEW DELHI: Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Arun Dhumal heaped praise on Team India’s depth of talent, singling out 14-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi as a prime example of the country’s thriving cricketing pipeline. He also lauded veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli – fondly dubbed ‘Ro-Ko’ – for their enduring excellence, discipline, and unwavering commitment to the game.

Dhumal expressed confidence that the iconic duo still have plenty to offer in the 50-over format, commending their recent performances against Australia. Rohit, in particular, drew special mention for his sublime century in the final ODI of the three-match series, where he was named Player of the Series.

After two quiet outings, Rohit rediscovered his trademark fluency in the decider, leading India’s successful chase of 237 with a breathtaking unbeaten 121. Kohli provided the perfect foil, anchoring the innings with a composed 74* as the duo sealed a commanding nine-wicket victory for India.

“We’ve been talking about this bench strength of the Indian team for a long, long time. But look at this team, a 14-year-old wonder, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, he’s knocking at the door to be part of the team. And then you have these greats like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who people think are going, but they are not going. They are here to stay,” Arun Dhumal exclusively told ANI.

“And the way Rohit has shown his class in this ODI series, at that age, coming as player of the match in the final match and then player of the series, that shows the kind of conviction that they carry, the kind of hard work that they put in. When it comes to Team India, they will want to give it their best. And that is the true reflection of a sportsman. And my best wishes to both of them. They have done wonderful. They have given their life to Indian cricket,” he added.

The Australia series perfectly encapsulated Rohit’s trademark resilience, hunger, and match-winning brilliance. From battling early rust with a low score in Perth to crafting a gritty 97-ball 73 in Adelaide – a knock built more on patience than flair – Rohit’s journey through the series was one of resolve and reinvention. But it was in Sydney that the ‘Hitman’ truly unleashed his full power, hammering an unbeaten 121 off 125 balls to seal the series in style.