Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma finalized in India’s 2027 World Cup squad: “Whether they score runs or not…”
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After their dominant show in Australia under the difficult batting conditions, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been assured of a spot in the World Cup squad by Indian great Sunil Gavaskar, irrespective of what happens in the upcoming games.
The doubts and the mixed voices over the last few weeks posed multiple questions about whether the veterans should be managed between now and the marquee tournament in 2027, but the remarkable passion and form of the two have answered the queries at the SCG.
While Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli batted flawlessly in the Australia tour, especially Sharma getting back his composed nature, the former Indian player Sunil Gavaskar has said that their selection into the World Cup squad would be based on quality and not pure nostalgia.
"You can write their names straight into the World Cup squad for South Africa 2027” - Sunil Gavaskar
After Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's 168-run stand broke multiple records at Sydney, former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar believes that the two should be drafted into the Indian squad for the World Cup without any further hesitation.
"The moment they made themselves available for this trip, it was clear they wanted to be there for the 2027 World Cup. And irrespective of what happens between now and then, whether they score runs or not, with the ability and experience they possess, if they are available, they will be certainties in the squad,” said Gavaskar.
He has clearly taken a stance that if the legends want to be a part of the playing XI themselves, they should, by all means, be named in the squad, with all that ability and experience they possess.
He doubled down on the point, “With this kind of rhythm, you can write their names straight into the World Cup squad for South Africa 2027.”
Sydney's win is not just a consolation for Team India
While speaking to India Today on India's 9-wicket victory against Australia at Sydney, which helped them survive the whitewash, the former Indian skipper Gavaskar pointed out the importance of the match from India's point of view.
As many would have considered India's win in Sydney as a consolation win, since they had lost the series to Australia at Adelaide, Gavaskar's statement reframes the win to be more than just consolation. For Kohli, it was a return after a horrifying week, and Rohit reaffirmed his authority with that ton, and, with his inspirational fitness journey, he proved that age is just a number.
In their 168-run-long partnership and unbeaten 121* and 74*, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli respectively reannounced that they are still the prime batters and most valuable assets of the Indian team.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli head back home
After the series concluded in Sydney, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli left alongside many Indian players like KL Rahul and Mohammed Siraj, who were not part of the T20I squad. The other flew to Canberra to join the rest of the Indian team.
Rohit returned to India, while Kohli took a direct flight to London to join their respective families. They will again be seen in action, but this time in India, from the 30th of November, as the Men in Blue take on the Proteas in the First ODI at Ranchi.
Tagged:
Rohit Sharma Virat Kohli BCCI Gautam Gambhir Sunil Gavaskar India National Cricket Team ICC ODI World Cup ICC Cricket World Cup
