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Virat, Rohit To Play 2027 WC? ‘Still A Long Way Away’, Says India Bowling Coach
Follow UsRohit, Kohli will be in the wrong side of their 30s by the time of the World Cup
One Day International (ODI) games have become a rarity in the international calendar, but there’s lately been a sharp focus on such games India play thanks to Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The experienced duo have both retired from Tests and T20Is, and ODIs remain the only active international format for both of them.
While fans are unquestionably delighted to see the pair play ODI cricket, the bigger question remains whether the duo will carry on till the 2027 ODI World Cup, which is still close to 18 months away. Rohit is the fittest and leanest he’s been in a decade and Kohli is still hungry as ever, but the fact remains that they will be nearing 40 and 39 by the time the 2027 WC comes about.
Team India bowling coach Morne Morkel admitted that the 2027 WC is still a ‘long way away’, but insisted that he’s confident that both Rohit and Kohli can make it to the mega event.
"It's still a long way away.. They're quality players. As long as they're happy to put the hard work in and the fitness, sure," Morkel said ahead of the South Africa ODIs, reported Times of India.
Lauding the quality and experience both players bring to the table, Morkel said that he is ‘totally on board’ with the experienced duo carrying on till the 2027 ODI World Cup.
"I've always believed in experience and to have that experience, you don't find that anywhere. They've won trophies, they know how to play big tournaments. So for sure, the World Cup, by all means,” Morkel said.
“I've played many games against them. I've had sleepless nights bowling to them. So I know as a bowler what goes through your preparation playing against them. So for me, definitely on board with that (on Kohli and Rohit playing the World Cup)," he added.
Form is not an issue for either player. In the last ODI they played together, in Sydney, the pair stitched together an unbeaten 168-run partnership. While Rohit smashed an unbeaten ton, Kohli ended on 74*. On the back of that knock, Rohit also became the number one-ranked ODI batter for the first time in his career.