Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma seal their 2027 World Cup spots

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have once again proved why they are the backbone of the Indian cricket team. In their 392nd international match together, they stitched a powerful 136-run partnership from just 109 balls to help India post a massive 349 in 50 overs against South Africa in Ranchi.

Their combined effort proved decisive as India won the first ODI by 17 runs and took a 1-0 lead in the ongoing three-match ODI series against South Africa in Ranchi on Sunday, November 30. Kohli dominated the innings with a brilliant 135, while Rohit played a quick and aggressive knock of 57.

Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma partnership destroys South Africa in Ranchi thriller

The pair blasted 80 runs in the powerplay alone, and by the time their partnership was broken, India had already reached 161 runs in just 21.2 overs, putting the game largely out of South Africa’s reach.

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Even though the South African side fought hard later, the partnership between Kohli and Rohit had already made sure the total would be enough for the hosts to defend in Ranchi.

After the Ranchi ODI, the former Indian selector Kris Srikkanth emphasized the importance of Kohli and Rohit’s partnership for India’s future. Srikkanth said that their Ranchi partnership once again showed why India cannot plan for the ICC World Cup 2027 without Kohli and Rohit.

Kris Srikkanth says India’s ICC World Cup 2027 dreams depend on Virat Kohli–Rohit Sharma magic

The former World Cup winner explained that India needs Rohit holding one end and Kohli controlling the other, and then their experience, skill, and fitness make them priceless for the team.

Kris Srikkanth said in a video on his YouTube channel, “Kohli and Rohit are playing on another level. Without these two, the 2027 World Cup plans will not work out. You need Rohit at one end and Virat at another. There should be no questions asked.”

He further praised the duo by saying, “See, in 2013, he said in an interview that since 2013, Rohit and he used to score heavily and take down oppositions. If you look at it, if Rohit and Kohli bat for 20 overs, the opposition is gone. Today, that’s what happened. They were literally batted out. Yes, South Africa fought back well. But their partnership finished them off.”

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Kris Srikkanth declares Virat Kohli–Rohit Sharma “Irreplaceable” for India’s ICC World Cup 2027 dream

Srikkanth also praised how Kohli and Rohit have maintained their fitness and mindset despite now playing only one format, having retired from Test and T20I cricket. The former Indian cricketer believes that India simply cannot win the ICC World Cup 2027 without Kohli and Rohit because of the kind of impact they continue to make whenever they bat together.

He signed off by saying, “It’s not just the runs. They have worked very hard (on fitness). Virat and Rohit are playing only one format. It’s not easy to maintain your mindset like this when only playing one format. As far as I am concerned, they have sealed their spots for the 2027 World Cup. No. 1 and No. 3 slots are all sealed. We can’t win without them.”

They will next be seen in action in the second ODI against South Africa on Wednesday, December 3, in Raipur, followed by the third and final ODI on December 6 in Visakhapatnam.