Asked If Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli Will Play 2027 World Cup, Ravi Shastri's Blunt Reply

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri, who has held a close relationship with Virat Kohli over the years, believes the upcoming One Day International (ODI) series against Australia will be a critical challenge for both him and Rohit Sharma. Shastri feels that the veteran duo needs to produce some exemplary performances to solidify their places for the 2027 World Cup. Kohli and Rohit, who have now retired from Tests and T20 Internationals, were named in India's squad for the ODI series, which starts on 19 October in Perth. They are set to join the squad before flying to Australia on 15 October for the three-match series, but there isn't much clarity on their future beyond the series.

With the ODI World Cup still two years away, and the recent form of Kohli, 36, and Sharma, 38, having been well below their exceptional best, uncertainty looms over their future in the format.

"That's why they're here (playing the ODI series against Australia)," Shastri was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au at Kayo Sport's Summer of Cricket launch here.

"They're part of the mix. It depends on their fitness, their hunger and, of course, form. So, I think this series is very important to see how they go. They themselves will know by the end of this series how they feel and then it's their call," he added.

Currently, ODI cricket is the only international format the duo plays and it remains to be seen whether they fit into India's long-term plans, with the 50-over World Cup still two years away.

By then, Rohit will be 40, while Kohli will be 38. Rohit was recently replaced by Shubman Gill as India's ODI captain.

Rohit and Kohli were last seen representing India during their victorious Champions Trophy campaign in February this year.

While Rohit was named player of the match in the final, Kohli featured among the top five batters, repeatedly leading India to victory throughout the tournament.

"(It's) the same thing with Steve Smith, who retired from ODIs in March, from Australia's point of view. At that age, you've got to enjoy it, and you still have to have the hunger.

"But there's no substitute for experience when it comes to the big games, as we saw in the Champions Trophy. Come the big games, and the big boys step up," Shastri added.

The former India all-rounder also feels the 'Men in Blue' perform better in white-ball cricket than in the red-ball format.

"India is much stronger in white ball than the red ball. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli… they know that these youngsters are pushing them." Shastri spoke about the wealth of young talent India possesses in limited-overs cricket highlighting Tilak Varma's innings in the recent Asia Cup final.

"(Varma's) innings in that Asia Cup final was absolutely fantastic," Shastri said.

"Because under pressure to play like that (was impressive). There's some good young guns there in (Yashasvi) Jaiswal, there's (Shubman) Gill, there's Tilak Varma.

"A lot of good young talent and lot of all-rounders as well in Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube and Axar Patel, so it's a strong white-ball unit," he added. 

With PTI Inputs

Topics mentioned in this article

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