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The India National Cricket Team may have entered a new era under Shubman Gill, but Suresh Raina believes that their biggest strength for the ICC World Cup 2027 will still be the experience of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Former India batter feels the batting icons can play a massive role in helping the young captain Gill in handling tough situations in the mega event.
With Rohit and Virat Kohli now playing only ODI cricket after retiring from Tests and T20Is, all their focus is on making sure to play in the ICC World Cup 2027. Their experience, leadership, and ability to stay calm under pressure could become one of India's biggest advantages in the tournament. However, Anil Kumble backed Shubman Gill as captain.
Suresh Raina sees Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as India's biggest ICC World Cup 2027 weapons
Suresh Raina believes that major ICC tournaments are won not only with talent but also with experience. He feels young players learn a lot by sharing the dressing room with legends who have already handled the biggest matches in world cricket.
Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have played multiple ODI World Cups for the India National Cricket Team. Rohit dominated the 2019 edition by finishing as the highest run-scorer with 648 runs in just nine matches, including a record five centuries. Kohli created history in the 2023 World Cup, where he scored 765 runs, the highest ever by any batter in a single edition of the tournament.
Why Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli remains irreplaceable
So, Raina noted that both Kohli and Rohit know exactly how to deal with pressure in knockout matches because they have done it many times before and have already won ICC trophies for India. He believes that their experience will be a huge support system for Shubman Gill.
Suresh Raina said on JioStar: “Physical and mental preparation will be key for Virat Kohli. He looks very strong in white-ball cricket. The same goes for Rohit Sharma. Both are proven run-scorers in ICC World Cups."
"Rohit topped the run charts in 2019, and Virat did the same in 2023. They have also won ICC trophies, which adds immense value to their leadership and presence. They know how to handle pressure in knockout games. They have been there, done that.”
Their experience will be invaluable for India and Shubman Gill: Suresh Raina
Having Rohit and Kohli around can help Gill with decision-making, match awareness, and handling tough moments both on and off the field, felt the former left-hander, who won the 2012 World Cup.
Raina further said, “Experience matters in big tournaments. The young batters around them will benefit from their guidance. For Shubman Gill, captaining India in a World Cup, having Rohit and Virat alongside him will be a huge advantage. Their experience will be invaluable on and off the field. In a high-pressure tournament like the World Cup, that kind of presence can make all the difference.”
Notably, India is all set to take on Afghanistan in the three-match ODI series from June 13 in Dharamsala, followed by two games in Lucknow on June 17 and Chennai on June 20. While Rohit is expected to play in the home series, Kohli is ruled out with a hamstring injury.
