Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma dragged back to domestic cricket by ex-India star

As Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are back in India’s ODI squad for the upcoming Australia tour, Irfan Pathan has pointed out the challenge of maintaining match fitness without regular cricket. Pathan shared crucial advice for both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, as their ODI future now looks increasingly uncertain.

Both Indian batting icons have already retired from Tests and T20Is, and now the ODI cricket is their only international platform to shine. They are set to make their much-awaited return with the three-match ODI series in Australia this October, but their future in the 50-over format is far from secure.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma face ODI survival test ahead of ICC World Cup 2027

While Kohli and Rohit clearly want to continue until the ICC World Cup 2027, the Indian chief selector Ajit Agarkar has not given any guarantees about their spots, as they are now looking to prepare the squad around the new captain, Shubman Gill, in ODI cricket.

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As both former Indian captains are under the radar and told that they would only be picked in the ODI squad if the runs come, Irfan Pathan suggested that both Kohli and Rohit consider playing domestic cricket to stay sharp, as fitness alone may not be enough to retain their places in the side.

Kohli continues to be among the fittest players in world cricket, while Rohit has also focused on his fitness ahead of the Australia tour. Rohit has been working hard on his fitness and lost 10 kg of weight for the ODI series in Australia. However, they lacked the match practice.

Match fitness will be a big challenge for them: Irfan Pathan

Pathan has noted that both batting icons now play only ODIs, and that’s why they really need match practice to be fit for the ICC World Cup 2027. And for which, playing domestic cricket would be a great platform for the duo, according to the former Indian all-rounder.

Irfan Pathan said in a video on his YouTube channel, “Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli want to play the 2027 World Cup, but match fitness will be a big challenge for them. Rohit has worked well on his fitness. He is focused on that. But there is regular fitness and match-time fitness... If you are not playing regular cricket, both of them have to ensure some game time.”

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Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma must hit domestic cricket to keep ICC World Cup 2027 hopes alive: Irfan Pathan

The former Indian World Cup winner has emphasized that consistent game time is crucial for Virat and Rohit to remain competitive and match fit and ensure their ICC World Cup 2027 dreams stay alive. He also pointed out that their experience and numbers can’t save their place in India’s ODI setup if they don’t put serious efforts into domestic cricket.

Pathan signed off by saying, “Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have to play domestic cricket. They are big players and know what to do. They have all the experience in the world. But they are not even playing T20Is, so there will be big gaps between the few matches that they play before the big World Cup. They will need regular game time to be fit for that. Only then will their dream to play in the 2027 World Cup come true.”