Ex-India all-rounder urges fans to stop worrying about Kohli and Rohit's future: 'Enjoy them while they play'

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has urged the Indian cricket community to stop worrying about Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s future in international cricket and enjoy their performances whenever they get an opportunity to don the blue jersey and represent the nation.

Pathan made the comment after Kohli and Rohit starred in India's 17-run victory over South Africa in the first ODI in Ranchi on Sunday. Kohli bagged the Player of the Match award for his 120-ball 135 – his 52nd century in ODIs and his 83rd overall across formats – while Rohit continued his fine run with the bat with a knock of 57.

The two batting stalwarts and former captains also appeared to have carried on from where they had left off in the third ODI against Australia in Sydney, forging a 136-run partnership for the second wicket that helped the Men in Blue recover from a shaky start after the Proteas invited them to bat.

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“So Virat Kohli is incredible to watch. And with both of these players performing like this, as fans and experts, maybe we should stop talking about the 50-over World Cup right now. Let that be for later. Just enjoy their cricket. Enjoy them while they play,” Pathan said in the latest episode of his YouTube series Seedhi Baat.

Kohli and Rohit had retired from Twenty20 Internationals last year and had also quit Test cricket in May, and represent India only in One-Day Internationals at present – a format in which both icons have scored more than 10,000 runs.

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Both superstars have not shied away from expressing their desire to play the 2027 World Cup in South Africa. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar, however, had controversially claimed recently that Kohli and Rohit currently remain non-committal regarding their future with the Indian team, a view that many believe is supported by current head coach Gautam Gambhir.

And while the Ro-Ko were off to a shaky start in the ODI series in Australia, in which they made their first international appearance since helping India win the Champions Trophy in March, their current form confirms their hunger to try and help India win a third World Cup title two years from now.

𝘼 𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙞𝙚𝙙 𝙎𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙗𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙍𝙊𝙆𝙊! 🔥🫡💥@ImRo45 and @imVkohli are now the first Indian pair to feature in 392 matches together across international cricket! 🇮🇳🤯🤩#INDvSA 1st ODI, LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/BBkwein9oF pic.twitter.com/NUcOJe0Z4R

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) November 30, 2025

Pathan hails Kohli’s ‘phenomenal mindset’, says Rohit batting ‘at his peak’

As for Kohli’s sparkling ton against the Proteas in Ranchi on Sunday – his first since the match-winning ton against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy in February – Pathan hailed his “phenomenal mindset”. The former Baroda cricketer also hailed Rohit for his improved fitness while stating that he’s batting “like he is at his peak”.

“The strength Virat Kohli brings, especially because he does not live in India regularly and does not always get tough wickets, yet he comes here and performs consistently in international cricket, is remarkable. It is not easy. It shows the level he is at and the mentality he has. A phenomenal mindset.

“Now coming to Rohit Sharma, he is batting like he is at his peak. You cannot tell he is 38. His fitness has improved a lot. The way he plays according to the conditions and according to the bowlers is flawless batting. This Ranchi innings again shows the mindset with which Rohit Sharma is progressing. His consistent form continues,” Pathan added.

What’s next for Ro-Ko?

After playing three ODIs in Australia in October, India are playing as many 50-over games against South Africa and New Zealand at home, with one game against the Proteas already done. And once the ODI leg of the Black Caps’ tour of India concludes in mid-January, the Men in Blue won’t be playing 50-over games for the next six months until their white-ball tour of England.

Given the limited number of ODIs that they will be playing in the build-up to the 2027 World Cup, the Ro-Ko pair is expected to feature in as many games as they can in order for the two veterans – who are in their late 30s – to maintain their form and fitness. Rohit and Kohli have also been encouraged by the BCCI to represent their state associations – Mumbai and Delhi respectively – in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Both Rohit and Kohli remain active in the Indian Premier League, having been retained by the Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru respectively for the 19th season next year.