Following in the footsteps of Ravi Shastri, former Indian captain and coach Anil Kumble has rekindled the discussion surrounding the prospects of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma featuring in the 2027 ODI World Cup, set to be co-hosted by South Africa and Namibia.
With both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma having opted out of Tests and T20Is, One Day Internationals now stand as their sole active international format. Both cricket maestros reportedly harbor hopes of one last shot at glory in the 2027 World Cup in southern Africa. However, with the tournament still two years away, their recent fluctuations in form have sparked questions regarding their consistency and long-term viability.
Addressing the topic on JioHotstar, Kumble urged, “Let’s just celebrate these two phenomenal players on the field. They have contributed immensely to Indian cricket over many years.”
He continued, “You don’t know if… yes, in their minds, they might be thinking about the 2027 World Cup, but it’s still a couple of years down the line. There are many matches ahead; all they need to do is go out there and enjoy themselves. Now that Rohit is no longer the captain, the weight of leadership has been lifted from his shoulders.”
“So, it’s purely about batting and savoring every moment they have on the field. I don’t believe they need to think too far ahead regarding 2027,” Kumble emphasized.
“Both these individuals possess invaluable experience; ideally, you’d want them in the lineup. However, it’s wiser to approach things year by year.”
Currently, Kohli and Sharma are part of India’s 15-man ODI squad scheduled to face Australia in a three-match series in Perth, Adelaide, and Sydney on October 19, 23, and 25.
Maintaining peak match fitness could prove challenging for Kohli and Sharma, especially considering their reduced participation in other international formats and limited opportunities in the T20 circuit.
Despite these hurdles, both seasoned players delivered strong performances during India’s victorious Champions Trophy campaign. However, neither has played an international match since the final on March 9.
Kumble reiterated, “They simply need to focus on what’s necessary to prepare for ODIs six months from now—that will be the real test. They undoubtedly aspire to play in and win the 2027 World Cup, a goal that eluded them in 2023 when Australia clinched the trophy.”
He concluded, “But as I’ve said, these two players are true champions, and Australian fans will undoubtedly flock to stadiums to witness them play.”