 "'Virat is going to play IPL only...Rohit Sharma, I've spoken to him': Former cricketer on India's 2027 ODI World Cup plans")
Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan feels that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma can continue to be part of the Indian ODI side. Both Kohli and Rohit have retired from Tests and T20Is. They will be 39 and 40, respectively, when the 2027 ODI World Cup comes around, which has raised questions about whether India should start looking for their replacements.
It has also been claimed by a few media houses that Kohli and Rohit will be asked to retire from ODIs after the tour of Australia in October 2025. That three-match ODI series will be Kohli and Rohit’s first international assignment since the Champions Trophy 2025, which ended in March.
Can Kohli and Rohit play in 2027 World Cup? Pathan responds
In the absence of T20Is and Tests, it’s just the IPL and ODIs that both the players will be playing, and while some may belief that would not be the best preparation for ageing cricketers if they plan to take part in the next ODI World Cup, Pathan feels if Kohli and Rohit can get enough match practice then there’s nothing that can stop them from staying in the contention for 2027 World Cup.
“For Kohli and Rohit, the only challenge would be to play regular cricket. Otherwise, they are all outstanding. Talking about these professional cricketers, whose only focus is to play cricket for now, the biggest challenge for them would be playing regularly and staying fit.
“Virat is going to play IPL only, and then whenever there is First-Class cricket, but just to play and not to prove anything. So, continuing the game time will not be an easy task. T20 has taken over and one-dayers have taken a backseat, so number of matches has gotten changed in both. World Cup 2027 won’t be a challenge if continuity of the game time is handled. Unfortunately, there will be pressure on them,” Pathan told RevSportz.
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“Whereas Rohit Sharma, I’ve spoken to him and he’s very keen about fitness. Then Virat, I am sure is very keen as well with the way he has been seen practising in England. The keenness is important from the player’s point of view, so this is a great thing about them – that they are in touch and working on their fitness as well.”
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More ShortsPathan added that whatever coach Gautam Gambhir and BCCI chief selector decide, the communication with star players like Kohli and Rohit should remain “very clear”.
“I really think that should be the case, and I hope that the communication has been very clear,” Pathan said. “Knowing Gautam (Gambhir) and Ajit (Agarkar), I think they have made it very clear in terms of communication. And as I said, having game time regularly will keep away all sorts of challenges.
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“If you’re talking about 2027, that challenge will be there because they’re not playing for India currently. After, say, three games against Australia and IPL, if there is a big gap, then the continuity breaks.”
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