Parthiv Patel has given a strong reminder to Indian cricket’s biggest stars, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, ahead of their much-awaited return on the upcoming Australia tour. Patel has suggested that both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma should take part in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy to boost their chances of ICC World Cup 2027.
He believes that this is the best way for former captains to stay in rhythm and maintain their match fitness ahead of the upcoming challenges. With the ICC World Cup 2027 still two years away, Patel feels he must play regular competitions to remain in top form.
Parthiv Patel urges Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma to play Vijay Hazare Trophy to keep ICC World Cup 2027 dreams alive
The former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman also said that cricket has changed a lot in the last few years. Earlier players used to get 20 to 25 ODI matches every year, which helped them keep up with the pace of the game.
But now, the number of ODI matches has reduced, and the long break between series may make it harder for Virat and Rohit to remain match-ready as they only play ODIs now.
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“Two years is a long time, and there aren’t too many ODIs these days. Earlier, when players got 20-25 matches a year, it was easier to stay on a roll. Now, it’s a different challenge altogether – staying match-fit without many opportunities,” Parthiv Patel was quoted as saying by PTI.
Patel believes that playing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, India’s premier one-day domestic tournament, will not only help Kohli and Rohit hone their game but will also benefit Indian cricket as a whole. He explained, “It is not about setting an example or forcing them to play. Rather, participating in the Hazare Trophy will help their own game, which will ultimately benefit the Indian cricket team.”
Parthiv Patel is confident that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will support Shubman Gill as India captain
Meanwhile, Parthiv Patel also shared his views on the change of leadership in the Indian cricket team.
After becoming the Test captain earlier this year, Shubman Gill has also taken charge of the ODI team, with many wondering how he will handle senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma around him. But Patel insisted there was no cause for concern.
He said that Virat Kohli himself became the captain of India when MS Dhoni was playing, which helped him understand the importance of senior players in grooming new leaders. Similarly, Rohit has gone through various leadership changes in his career and knows how to manage such situations with maturity.
Patel is confident that he will stand behind Gill and help him grow as a captain. The cricket pundit further added, “Given the kind of characters Virat and Rohit are, I don’t think this will be a problem. Both are mature players who understand the decisions taken for the betterment of Indian cricket. Shubman will not need to spend energy managing them.”
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Parthiv Patel lauds Shubman Gill’s calm and confident leadership style
Having worked closely with Shubman Gill as the batting coach of Gujarat Titans in the IPL, Patel also praised the youngster’s leadership qualities. He described Gill as a calm and confident captain who believes in taking clear decisions and does not get trapped in uncertainty.
He signed off by saying, “Shubman prepares well, is decisive, and has a ‘yes or no’ approach with no ‘maybe’. He is flexible and open to suggestions – exactly the qualities you want in a captain.”
