Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (BCCI Photo)
With their Tests and T20I careers well behind them, what remains now is the 50-over format, and they plan to keep playing ODIs with the 2027 World Cup as the final destination. Kohli, the leading century-maker in ODIs with 54 tons, has asserted that next year’s World Cup would mark the end of his India career, and he is determined to pour everything he has into one final push for the title. The journey to next year’s showpiece tournament, jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, passes through Thiruvananthapuram when India face the West Indies at the Greenfield International Stadium on Sunday.
By narrowing their focus to just one format, it makes every ODI between now and the 2027 World Cup a riveting watch. India are scheduled to play atleast 25 ODIs in this period.
“For me, it’s the last World Cup I’m going to play for India,” Kohli told JioStar. “The goal is absolutely to win the World Cup, and whatever it takes, I’m absolutely ready,” he said. Like artists choosing their final canvas, Rohit and Virat have chosen ODIs, a format that is long enough to reward experience and demanding enough to test their fitness and stamina.
Morkel Highlights Value of Experience in Indian Bowling Lineup
India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel emphasized the importance of veteran players in the team’s dynamics. He noted the team’s good fortune in having experienced players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who can mentor younger players such as Shubman Gill, Naman Dhir, and Aquib Nabi.
Morkel stated, “If Virat and Rohit are leading the conversation, there’s a lot of experience in those conversations that can be great for the team.” This exchange of knowledge is seen as crucial for the development of less experienced players within the squad.