Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin reckons fitness and form will be crucial for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli ahead of ODI World Cup 2027. Both Rohit and Virat are in decent form in ODIs despite announcing their retirements from Test and T20Is. Furthermore, they both have also proved their fitness on the top level.
However, Virat Kohli has been ruled out of the upcoming three ODIs against Afghanistan due to a hamstring injury, which he suffered in the IPL 2026 final against Gujarat Titans.
On the other hand, Rohit Sharma also missed five matches in IPL 2026 because of a hamstring injury however he is fit for the Afghanistan ODIs.
Ashwin said on ESPN Cricinfo, “Virat’s fitness has been great. Rohit has tended to have hamstring issues in the past. He needs to keep working on that to keep himself on the park. Because an injury to one of these two will mean an opportunity for the youngsters. And that cannot be the case going near the World Cup. So Rohit needs to keep ticking those boxes.”
Ashwin any kind of injury or a dip in form, will put the pressure on the veteran duo.
“Any kind of an injury or a dip might tilt the favor once again and put a bit of pressure on both. Embracing that is important for both of them. If the management wants the two for the World Cup and if there is enough energy around it, it is very possible to keep them on the park and utilize their experience. But if there is a thought that it might steer the other way, these two will be under duress.”
The former CSK spinner reckons the team management has a massive role in getting the best out of these two experienced players.
“It must be like a marriage. The management must want these two to be there with their best interests also in mind. When they see that from the management, they will put in double the hard work than they would otherwise. It’s a give and take, and good energy from both sides is paramount,” said Ashwin (via the aforementioned source).
India will face Afghanistan in the first ODI at Dharamshala on Saturday.
