Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma Vijay Hazare Trophy participation decided

Parthiv Patel has given a strong reminder to Indian cricket’s biggest stars, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, ahead of their much-awaited return to action on the upcoming Australia tour. Patel has suggested that both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma should take part in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy to boost their ICC World Cup 2027 chances.

He believes that it is the best way for the former captains to stay in rhythm and maintain their match fitness ahead of the challenges that lie ahead. With the ICC World Cup 2027 still two years away, Patel feels that they should play regular competitions to remain in top form.

Parthiv Patel urges Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma to play the Vijay Hazare Trophy to keep ICC World Cup 2027 dreams alive

The former Indian wicketkeeper-batter also pointed out that cricket has changed a lot over the years. Earlier, players used to get 20 to 25 ODI matches every year, which helped them stay in touch with the game’s pace.

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But now, the number of ODIs has reduced, and long breaks between series can make it harder for Virat and Rohit to stay match-ready since they now play only ODIs.

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Parthiv Patel was quoted as saying by PTI: “Two years is a long time, and there aren’t many ODI games these days. Earlier, when players used to get 20-25 games a year, it was easier to stay on a roll. Now, it’s a different challenge altogether—staying match-fit without as many opportunities.”

Patel believes that playing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, which is India’s premier one-day domestic tournament, will not only help Kohli and Rohit sharpen their game but will also benefit Indian cricket as a whole. He explained, “It’s not about setting an example or forcing them to play. Rather, participating in the Hazare Trophy will help their own game, which ultimately benefits the Indian cricket team.”

Parthiv Patel is confident Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will support Shubman Gill as India's captain

Meanwhile, Parthiv Patel also shared his thoughts on the leadership changes in the Indian cricket team.

With Shubman Gill taking charge of the ODI team as well after becoming Test captain earlier this year, many have wondered how he would handle having senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma around him. But Patel insisted that there’s no reason for worry.

He explained that Virat Kohli himself became India’s captain while MS Dhoni was still playing, which helped him understand the importance of senior players in grooming new leaders. Similarly, Rohit has been through various leadership transitions in his career and knows exactly how to manage such situations with maturity.

Patel is confident that they will stand behind Gill and help him grow as a captain. The cricket pandit further explained, “I don’t think it will be a problem because of the kind of characters Virat and Rohit are. Both are mature players who understand decisions taken for the betterment of Indian cricket. Shubman won’t need to spend energy managing them.”

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Parthiv Patel hails Shubman Gill’s calm and confident leadership style

Having worked closely with Shubman Gill as the batting coach of the Gujarat Titans in the IPL, Patel also praised the youngster’s leadership qualities. He described Gill as a calm and confident captain who believes in clear decision-making and doesn’t get stuck in uncertainty.

He signed off by saying, “Shubman prepares well, is decisive, and has a ‘yes or no’ approach with no ‘maybe.’ He’s flexible and open to suggestions—exactly the qualities you want in a captain.”