Follow UsThe three-match ODI series in Australia, which got over on October 25 (Saturday), highlighted one clear takeaway: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, now exclusively 50-over players, will need to play as much domestic cricket as possible to stay in form and match-ready if they hope to feature in the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Having retired from Tests and T20Is, the two senior stalwarts returned to international cricket for the first time since March. Both looked rusty in the first two ODIs - Kohli suffered back-to-back ducks, while Rohit was dismissed for 8 in Perth and then scored a scratchy 73 off 97 deliveries in Adelaide.
However, by the third ODI in Sydney, with some game time under their belts, the duo showed their class. Rohit smashed an unbeaten 121 off 125 balls, while Kohli crafted 74* off 81 deliveries, combining for an unbeaten 168-run partnership that helped India chase down 237 with nine wickets to spare.
By the time the next World Cup arrives, Kohli will be 39 and Rohit 40, and this series made it evident that India will need both. But they will have to maintain match fitness through domestic cricket.
The Vijay Hazare Trophy, starting December 24 and running until January 18, provides an opportunity. In the meantime, India have a three-match home ODI series against South Africa from November 30 to December 6, followed by three ODIs against New Zealand from January 11 to 18 - giving both players time to feature in a few games for Delhi and Mumbai, respectively.
When asked about Rohit and Kohli playing domestic cricket, India’s new ODI captain Shubman Gill said: “Right now, we haven't had any discussions. There's not much gap left for the South Africa series. There's a bit of a gap between the South Africa and New Zealand series. We will have discussions after the South Africa series, and we will decide on how to keep the players in touch.”
Gill, who grew up idolising Kohli and Rohit, heaped praise on their match-winning partnership in Sydney. “They’ve been doing this for the past 15 years. To be able to watch them play like this and get the team through unbeaten is really a treat to watch.
“As a captain, when you sit outside and watch the match, it feels really good that the two senior most players of the team are playing, and they’re getting the team through. I think, like I said, it’s a treat to watch both of them, especially when they’re batting like that, and seeing the ball fly off their bats, and just hearing the sound that comes off their bat is something, you know, that tells you how good a nick that they’re both in.”
Gill also stressed the advantage of having both veterans around early in his captaincy: “It is always helpful. Both of them have played a lot in Australia. They have won so many matches for the country. Having Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma helps me as a captain. I can ask them anything whenever I have any doubts in the field. It is a big relief that I can always go upto Rohit and Kohli.”