Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma’s 2027 World Cup fate sealed: "There is no doubt in my mind"

Former Indian wicket-keeper batter Deep Dasgupta has praised the Indian veteran duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for their stellar performances in the ODI series against Australia and now against South Africa. He has backed them for their supremacy and remarked that they still have their hunger for runs and winning games.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been the best performers for India since they returned to ODIs after their retirement from Test and T20I cricket. Rohit was crowned the player of the series on the Australia tour, while Virat Kohli was named the Player of the series in the South Africa series.

Virat Kohli has amassed 376 runs in the last 6 innings and has averaged 94 with two half-centuries and two centuries each. Rohit, on the other hand, has also amassed a decent 348 runs at an average of 69.60 and a very healthy strike rate. He has three half-centuries and a century under his belt.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli praised for their supremacy in World cricket

Former wicket-keeper batter Deep Dasgupta has honoured the two Indian veterans for their fine form. During his latest appearance on the YouTube interview with KADAK, the 48-year-old claimed that Virat Kohli looked like he was back to his prime.

“The freedom that has been visible in his batting has been very special. In my view, it feels like he is back in the kind of form he had before the pandemic. Watching him bat reminded me of the 2017-18 version of Virat, the way he was batting then,” said Dasgupta on Kohli.

He further praised the stunning performance from Rohit Sharma and found his fitness routine to be impressive.

“And if we also talk about Rohit, when you look at him, the kind of hard work he has put into his fitness and into himself shows that mentally he is in a very good place. Both of them are more than just technical players. Of course, they have all those qualities, which is why they are such big players,” Dasgupta added.

"Yet that same hunger is clearly visible in them" - Deep Dasgupta praises Indian veterans

Deep Dasgupta noted that both the Indian batters looked hungry to perform, which is a rare sight despite their age. After having played so much cricket and with so much already achieved, the undying hunger for scoring runs and winning games for the team is a quality that gives them an elevated status.

“But the most important thing, I feel, at this stage of their careers, is where they stand mentally. Do they still have that hunger? Do they still have the same hunger to work hard?" questioned Deep Dasgupta.

"Because as you get older, the kind of effort required changes and often increases. When you are 22 or 23, many things come a bit more easily. But when you reach 32 or 33, it becomes a little more difficult."

"Yet that same hunger is clearly visible in them. Whether you look at their fitness, their style of play, or their approach to the game, it shows in their mindset,” he added.

Deep Dasgupta backs Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for World Cup 2027

When Deep Dasgupta was questioned about whether the two veterans would be participating in the 2027 ODI World Cup, which is two years away from now, he answered with ease that, considering their current form, the duo will almost certainly feature in the mega-event.

Though Dasgupta first opined that any prediction on an event or the state of a player after two years is very difficult to predict, yet he added, "However, what you can say is that if their form remains anywhere close to what it is now, then they will definitely play. And as I said, that hunger is clearly visible in both of them, and that hunger will continue. So as far as I am concerned, there is no doubt in my mind.”

He opined that had he been picking a team today, then the first two players whom he would name in the squad would be Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

"And as far as the 2027 World Cup is concerned, absolutely, if they can maintain this kind of mindset, then yes, without any doubt, there is no second opinion on that,” he added.

ALSO READ: Tilak Varma attacks Gautam Gambhir haters, throws Axar Patel’s success in their faces