There has been a lot of speculation recently about the future of former Indian captains Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in ODIs. Both have retired from Test cricket, leading many cricket experts to question whether Kohli and Rohit will play in the 2027 ODI World Cup. Kohli will be around 39 years old by then, while Rohit Sharma will be over 40.
However, their stellar performances in the Ranchi ODI have put an end to this debate. Against South Africa in Ranchi, Virat Kohli scored an impressive 135 runs, while Rohit Sharma contributed 57 runs. Together, they forged a 136-run partnership for the second wicket, allowing India to set a massive target of 349 runs. India won the match by 17 runs, gaining a 1-0 lead in the series.
This partnership clearly demonstrated that Rohit-Kohli (RoKo) remain as dangerous as ever. Former team India captain and chief selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth has praised the two star batsmen. Srikkanth believes that India cannot win the 2027 ODI World Cup without Rohit and Kohli in the team.
'Planning Without Them is Futile...'
On his YouTube channel, Krishnamachari Srikkanth stated, 'Rohit and Kohli are playing at a different level. It's not easy to play such tough matches in this era of cricket. But they have maintained excellent fitness and mindset even though they play only one format. Planning without these two is futile. If India wants to win the 2027 World Cup, Rohit and Virat must be in the team.'
Part of the 1983 World Cup-winning team, Srikkanth further mentioned, 'If Rohit and Kohli bat together for 20 overs, the opposing team mentally crumbles. The same happened in Ranchi. South Africa was out of the game because these two had already turned the match in India's favor early on.'
Playing under pressure is a skill that only legendary players possess. Despite advancing age, Kohli and Rohit appear as fit as any young player. Their presence at the top order instills confidence in the rest of the team. Moreover, both have the ability to consistently perform well in major tournaments.
