Former India head coach Sandeep Patil believes India can manage their 2027 ODI World Cup campaign even if Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are not part of the squad. Speaking to SportsNext, Patil said their availability will depend on their desire to continue, fitness, and the selectors’ plans for the tournament.
Rohit and Virat last played for India in the three-match ODI series against England in July. India lost 2-1, but Rohit scored 175 runs, including a century, while Kohli amassed 144 runs with two half-centuries. Both are set to return for India’s three-match ODI series against West Indies, beginning on September 27.
Sandeep Patil Urges Selectors to Plan for Life After Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
Sandeep Patil urged the selectors to plan for the future and identify capable replacements for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. He believes India’s strong bench strength can help the team cope whenever the two veteran batters eventually step away from international cricket.
“It is up to these two players. Will they want to continue playing? Will they be able to maintain their fitness? What is the selectors’ strategy? Are the selectors looking ahead?"
"Along with the current players, we always have to consider whether we have someone strong enough to replace them if the time comes for them to be left out of the team. And considering the Indian team’s bench strength, which I just spoke about, I don’t think there will be any problems, whether Virat or Rohit are in the team or not.”
These Two Players Have Been Around for Many Years - Sandeep Patil
Sandeep Patil also highlighted the extraordinary careers of both batters and called them future legends of Indian cricket.
“These two players have been around for many years and will be regarded as legends. Rohit Sharma has been a remarkable player in white-ball cricket. As far as Virat is concerned, the more I say about him, the less it will be.”
Rohit has scored 11,895 runs in 288 ODIs at an average of 48.95, including 34 centuries and 62 fifties. Kohli has amassed 14,941 runs in 314 ODIs at an average of 58.59, with 54 centuries and 79 fifties.
They will return to the ODI setup when India host West Indies in the first of three ODIs at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27. The second ODI will be played in Guwahati on September 30, followed by the final match in Mullanpur on October 3.
Sandeep Patil Confident India Can Replace Jasprit Bumrah
Sandeep Patil also discussed the future of India’s pace attack and believes the team will continue to produce quality fast bowlers even after Jasprit Bumrah eventually retires. He pointed to the development infrastructure available at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
“We have three or four bowlers who can bowl at speeds of around 140 kmph, and they are doing well. It’s not as though Indian bowling will come to a complete standstill once Jasprit Bumrah is gone. Someone or the other will come through. Just two days ago, I was at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru with VVS Laxman. Look at the facilities there. I would say the BCCI has done a remarkable job. With facilities like these, I am 100% confident that Indian cricket will continue to produce not just good bowlers but good batters.”
India have continued to develop pace options alongside Bumrah. Before the West Indies ODIs, India will briefly turn their attention to T20I cricket. The Men in Blue are scheduled to face Japan in a one-off T20I on Tuesday, September 22.
Also read: “Rohit Sharma should just keep playing”: Ex-India captain on batter's retirement
