Former India all -rounder Irfan Pathan opened about the legendary batsmen, which was opened about Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma while playing the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Pathan said that it would be challenging for the batting pair to maintain fitness and form while playing only an international format.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be seen in the action starting next October during the three-OD series in Australia. This will be his first outing for India since the Champions Trophy final. With the next World Cup in 2027, there is speculation about whether Kohli and Rohit will be included in the squad.
Irfan Pathan opens on chance for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s 2027 ODI World Cup
Irfan Pathan said that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are currently focusing on IPL. He said that the rise of T20 cricket has reduced opportunities in Odis, saying that it would be important for him to get enough sports time before the World Cup.
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“For Kohli and Rohit, the only challenge will be to play regular cricket. Otherwise, they are all outstanding. Talking about these professional cricketers, whose only attention is to play cricket for now, the biggest challenge for them will have to play regularly and stay fit,” Pathan told Revasports.
“Virat is only going to play IPL, and then whenever first class cricket happens, but not just to play and not to prove anything. Therefore, it will not be an easy task to continue the game time.”
He said, “20 has taken over and has taken one-day one backseat, so the number of matches in both of them has changed. The World Cup 2027 would not be a challenge if the continuation of the game time is handled. Unfortunately, they would be under pressure,” he said.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are in touch and are working on fitness – Irfan Pathan
Irfan Pathan said that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are committed to maintaining their fitness. Pathan said that he spoke to Rohit, who is very keen on fitness, and Virat is very keen.
“While Rohit Sharma, I have talked to him and he is very keen about fitness. Then Virat, I am sure the way he has been seen practicing in England, he is very curious. The curiosity from the player’s point of view is important, so it’s a big thing about him – that he is also working on his fitness.
Rohit and Virat will be 40 and 39 respectively, when the World Cup. His participation in the tournament is uncertain, especially if he struggles to maintain form and fitness. Both have already retired from T20i and tests and now play only ODI and IPL.
Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agkar have made their plans clear – Irfan Pathan
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have started their preparations, in which Kohli has practiced in Lord’s indoor nets and Rohit training in India under former assistant coach Abhishek Nair.
Irfan Pathan said that the head coach Gautam Gambhir and Chairman of the selectors Ajit Agkar will take final decisions about their future, highlighting that clear communication and frequent sports time would be important before the World Cup.
Pathan said, “I really feel that it should happen, and I hope that communication has become very clear. Knowing Gautam (Gambhir) and Ajit (Agkar), I think they have made it very clear in the context of communication.”
“And as I said, all kinds of challenges will be away from regular sports time. If you are talking about 2027, it will be a challenge because they are not currently playing for India. Later, three games against Australia and IPL, if there is any big difference, if there is any big difference, continuity breaks.”
India has been scheduled to play at least 27 ODIs before the 2027 World Cup, which will add additional fixtures under the new Future Tours Program (FTP). Regular participation in these matches will be important for Kohli and Rohit if they facilitate India in another ICC tournament.
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