Table of Contents
The India National Cricket Team is currently in England and facing the England National Cricket Team for a five-match T20I series, with the last match to be played on Saturday. The next is a three-match ODI series set to begin on Tuesday. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have already started their preparations for the upcoming series.
The two cricketing stalwarts have been consistent match-winners for the Men in Blue over the years. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma only play the 50-over format, having retired from T20Is and Test cricket. However, their hunger to score runs in this format has never faded away as they keep on piling runs beside their names and winning matches for India.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to feature in ODI World Cup 2027?
Ahead of the ODI series, the most talked-about question is whether Virat and Rohit will participate in the upcoming ODI World Cup 2027, which is scheduled to take place in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. The question arises due to their age, fitness and injury-related concerns as well.
However, with India set to play 25-odd ODIs ahead of the tournament, their performance in the last few ODIs has kept everyone in the loop. Furthermore, head coach Gautam Gambhir and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar have not committed, leaving the choice on their World Cup participation open.
"They are performing even today"- Munaf Patel on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's performances
Now, ahead of the England series, 2011 ODI World Cup winner with India, Munaf Patel, has shared his views on Virat Kohli and Rohit’s participation in the 2027 major ICC tournament. He has asked the management not to treat Virat and Rohit in the same way that they have treated other cricketers.
"In the format that they are still playing, you cannot drop them. Remember this. Those who are the main guys for you, and such big legends, because they are performing even today and proving, don't do what you did with others to them. You have let many go and sent them home."
"Let them go by their own happiness and with a trophy. After winning the trophy, they will leave themselves. They also know they will not play the next World Cup, no matter how fit they stay," Patel said during a conversation with senior sports journalist Vimal Kumar.
"Cannot win the World Cup without them"- Munaf Patel delivers honest verdict on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's future
Further emphasizing the point Munaf Patel has made, that India will not be able to win the upcoming ICC tournament without the RO-KO duo, and if they want to win this tournament, they need Virat and Rohit to be on the 15-man list.
"You cannot win the World Cup without them. If you want to win the 2027 World Cup, it cannot happen without them. Look at their records of the last ten years. 55 hundreds in the same format. Rohit has 33-34 hundreds. Bowlers are scared to bowl, to be honest. Even today, people have a misconception that Rohit and Virat are finished."
"Talent can never be finished. These are talented guys. How will you win without them? The others are still getting ready. There is no one today who can take their place at the moment. There are just eight months for 2027. How much time is even left?" he remarked.
