Sipu Jha
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has shared his views on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma‘s future in ODI cricket, including their potential involvement in the 2027 World Cup, as the duo prepares to return for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia starting October 19. This marks their first appearance in India colors since announcing their Test cricket retirement earlier this year.Shastri expressed confidence in both players’ abilities and their continued motivation to contribute to India’s limited-overs cricket during his interaction with Fox Sports.“(Virat Kohli is) a master chaser, and Rohit is explosive at the top. They feel they’ve got enough cricket in them,” Shastri said.The former coach emphasized that the players’ longevity in international cricket would depend on multiple factors.“It depends how hungry you are, how fit you are, whether that passion for the game is still there. With their experience, it’ll come in very handy,” he stated.Regarding discussions about the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Shastri advocated for a more immediate focus.“I would say take it one series at a time. It’s still a long way to go,” he commented.Shastri also addressed the possibility of the players deciding their own future in the format.“Virat retired from Test Cricket, as did Rohit. They were not asked to retire. They went on their own. I would think it’s similar. If they’re not enjoying it, if the form is not good, you never know. They might pull the plug themselves.”The BCCI has taken a clear stance on the matter, with Vice-President Rajeev Shukla dismissing reports suggesting the Australia ODIs could be the final international series for both players.The upcoming series against Australia holds significance as both Kohli and Rohit have retired from Test and T20I formats, making their presence in ODIs crucial for India’s white-ball transition.Their performance in the three-match series will be closely watched to evaluate their potential role in India’s future ODI plans, particularly with the 2027 World Cup in consideration.
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