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Gambhir, Agarkar Have Made It Clear...Former India All-rounder On Rohit, Kohli's 2027 World Cup Participation
Follow UsThe two India batters will be in action next during the ODIs against Australia in October
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are active only in One-Day Internationals (ODI). As a result, they are expected to take part in the 2027 World Cup, which is expected to be their final appearance in the mega event.
With both players playing only in the Indian Premier League (IPL), other than ODIs, their fitness is a matter of concern. According to a few reports, they are expected to bow out after the Australia ODIs next month, allowing a new skipper to build for the World Cup
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan hopes that the communication is clear between the players, and head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar are clear on that front.
"I really think that should be the case, and I hope that the communication has been very clear," Pathan told RevSportz, on whether he sees Kohli and Rohit playing beyond the Australia ODIs.
"Knowing Gautam and Ajit, I think they have made it very clear in terms of communication. And as I said, having game time regularly will keep away all sorts of challenges. If you're talking about 2027, that challenge will be there because they're not playing for India currently. After, say, three games against Australia and IPL, if there is a big gap, then the continuity breaks."
Pathan also revealed that Rohit told him that he is keen to play the 2027 World Cup and so is Kohli, looking at the way he is practising in England.
"For Kohli and Rohit, the only challenge would be to play regular cricket. Otherwise, they are all outstanding. Talking about these professional cricketers, whose only focus is to play cricket for now, the biggest challenge for them would be playing regularly and staying fit," Pathan said.
"Virat is going to play IPL only, and then whenever there is First-Class cricket, but just to play and not to prove anything. So, continuing the game time will not be an easy task. T20 has taken over and one-dayers have taken a backseat, so number of matches has changed in both. World Cup 2027 won’t be a challenge if continuity of the game time is handled. Unfortunately, there will be pressure on them."
"Whereas Rohit Sharma, I've spoken to him and he's very keen about fitness. Then Virat, I am sure is very keen as well with the way he has been seen practising in England. The keenness is important from the player’s point of view, so this is a great thing about them – that they are in touch and working on their fitness as well."
India play 27 ODIs between now and the start of the World Cup. There could be more in the pipeline as well, and Kohli and Rohit's participation becomes crucial in all those matches, if India want to clinch their first ODI World Cup since 2011.