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Suresh Raina has requested Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to play the 2027 ODI World Cup, citing their experience and recent title wins for India.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma last played ODIs in March (Picture credit: AFP)
Former India cricketer Suresh Raina has said that Rohit Sharma and ace batter Virat Kohli should play the 2027 ODI World Cup as they have been part of the title-winning team of the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy and have the experience necessary for a big tournament.
The future of Rohit and Kohli now hangs in the balance, with the duo having retired from T20Is and Tests and ODIs being the only format where they remain active.
There have been a lot of speculations about Rohit and Kohli’s future, with certain reports suggesting that they might be let go before the 2027 ODI World Cup.
“Rohit & Kohli should play the 2027 ODI World Cup because they have won the T20 WC and the Champions Trophy, both Rohit and Virat have so much experience. I feel they will be there in the 2027 World Cup; they should be there,” Raina said while speaking on Subhankar Mishra’s YouTube channel.
With Kohli and Rohit all set to return, all eyes are on the three ODIs in Australia beginning October 19, their first games for India since the Champions Trophy final.
The World Cup is over two years away, by which time Rohit will be 40 and Kohli 39. The latter has been grinding in the indoor nets at Lord’s, while Rohit, fresh from a holiday in India, has started training under ex-India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar.
Apart from Kohli and Rohit, head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar will play key roles in shaping their future as well.
Kohli and Rohit’s participation in all upcoming ODIs is crucial if they hope to feature in one more ICC tournament for India.
Kohli and Rohit’s surprise Test retirements in May shocked the cricketing world, coming just as they were expected to tour England for the five-match series. Within five days, Rohit and Kohli announced their Test retirements.
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