"One thing I don't like...": Ricky Ponting’s blunt take on Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli’s 2027 World Cup hopes

Legendary Australia National Cricket Team captain Ricky Ponting has shared a no-nonsense verdict on whether Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli could represent the India National Cricket Team in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027.

Ricky Ponting stated that getting back their tempo and form would he quite crucial for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, but only time will tell whether they can play the next 50-over World Cup.

The one thing I don't like hearing from anyone is that 'I've achieved everything in the game' - Ricky Ponting

The grand return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to international cricket was ruined by the Australia National Cricket Team premier pacers Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.

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Kohli and Rohit featured in their first international match against the Aussies at the Perth Stadium on Sunday, October 19, since their participation in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final.

Kohli and Rohit have become one-format players following their retirements from Test and T20I cricket, and they will be seen in action in international cricket for a limited time until the end of their careers.

Meanwhile, Rohit and Kohli had a forgettable return to cricket as the opening batsman was dismissed by Josh Hazlewood for 8, and Mitchell Starc dismissed India's No.3 for a duck.

Speaking on The ICC Review, Aussie great Ricky Ponting said that he doesn't believe that one can achieve everything in cricket and reckoned that Virat Kohli would have set some small targets for himself on the Australia tour.

"The one thing I don't like hearing from anyone is that 'I've achieved everything in the game’ because I think you still have to have some really short-term goals and not just be hanging on to try and get through to the 2027 World Cup,” Ricky Ponting said.

"Virat's always been a highly motivated person. And I'd like to think that he's probably sat down and even just given himself some goals and things that he can achieve in this series here in Australia and not be just waiting and killing time for that next World Cup to come around."

They will get some really good batting wickets coming up over the next few weeks - Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting further said that both Rohit and Virat Kohli have been the best batters for India for a very long time, and only time will tell whether they can participate in the ICC World Cup 2027. He stated:

"What we know with both of those guys, at their absolute best, yes, of course they're in India's best team. But can they find their best between now and when that World Cup rocks around?

"And that's only an answer that, like Ravi said, that we'll find out in a short period of time. They will get some really good batting wickets coming up over the next few weeks here in Australia. There's not many places that are better to go and bat in a one-day game than Adelaide Oval, which is coming up in a couple of days."

Finding your rhythm and tempo is the biggest thing - Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting also asserted that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who he feels is the GOAT of ODI cricket, will have a great chance to bounce back in the Adelaide ODI against Australia with the conditions being batting-friendly and backed them to play the next 50-over World Cup if they continue match-winning performances with the bat.

"Finding your rhythm and tempo is the biggest thing. When you've had a break, just getting back used to the rhythm and the tempo of the 50-over game again, it takes a little bit of time for anybody," Ricky Ponting said.

"I'd expect to see both those guys bounce back into it pretty quickly. As I said, Adelaide is a great place to bat and a great place to play cricket. But it won't be easy for the fact that they are facing some of the best white-ball bowlers that have ever played the game. So, the challenge is definitely there.

"But I say it all the time, you don't write off champion players ever. And these two guys have been two of the best, and while I'm on record saying I think Virat's the best 50-over player I've ever seen, you don't write them off. They'll find a way to contribute and win games for their team, and if they do that, then they'll most likely be in that World Cup team in 2027."

Also Read: Ravi Shastri keeps Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli’s 2027 World Cup hopes alive after Perth horror show