Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes experts should not talk about the 2027 ODI World Cup selection and should let Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma play as long as they can at the top level. There has been a lot of speculation regarding Rohit and Virat’s ODI future, but the veteran batters have shown the zeal to play in the next ODI showpiece.
While Rohit scored a decent knock of 57 runs in the opening ODI against South Africa at the JSCA International Sports Complex, Ranchi, Kohli scored a match-winning knock of 135 runs off just 120 balls. This was the 52nd ODI century for Virat Kohli as he went on to break Sachin Tendulkar’s record of most centuries in a single format.
“The way Rohit and Kohli are playing, we experts should keep aside talks of 2027 World Cup. Just let them enjoy how much ever cricket they are playing. I want them to play as much as they can, even outside of international cricket. The energy they bring, especially Kohli. He doesn’t stay in India, but even then, performing regularly in international cricket is not at all easy. It only shows where his mindset is. It is in a very strong place.”
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma had scored 202 runs in a three-match series against Australia, including a century in the third game. After returning with two back-to-back ducks, Kohli had also scored a fine knock of 74 runs in the third game against Australia.
On the other hand, India’s veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was able to add the finishing touches as he scored 32 runs off just 20 balls to help India post 349 runs on the board against the Proteas. Pathan lauded Jadeja was hitting the ground running and adding invaluable runs.
He concluded, “The positions that Ravindra Jadeja gets to bat in are also important now due to Axar Patel also waiting in the wings. His breezy innings was amazing to watch and he ensured to justify the opportunity given. So that they have got not one but two left-arm spinners in the scheme of things. You never know what happens in the future.”
The second ODI between India and South Africa will be played at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur on Wednesday.
