Former Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara reckons Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli need rhythm and runs in every series before the 2027 World Cup. The veteran duo has already retired from Test and T20Is, and thus their match time is in question.

Furthermore, the pair hardly plays in the domestic circuit. The experienced pair played professional cricket in the three-match series against Australia after a long hiatus.

While Rohit top-scored in the series with 202 runs, Virat scored 74 runs in the third ODI after bagging two ducks in the first two games. Rohit scored an unbeaten knock of 121 runs off 125 balls in the third ODI and played a key role in India’s comprehensive nine-wicket win.

Rohit and Kohli have all the experience under their belt and they were able to make the most of it on the tour Down Under.

“For both of them, I think each and every series will be very important because when you are just playing one format. It is important for a player to be in touch with the game and they will be playing after a bit of a break which makes it a little more challenging,” Pujara said as quoted by India Today.

“Having that experience of playing just one format, I can talk from my experience that when you play international cricket after a long time, you are trying to find the rhythm. When it comes to white-ball cricket, it’s slightly easier,” he said.

The former Indian number three said taking a retirement call will be the personal decision for Rohit and Virat.

“It will be their personal call. I don’t think we should be looking that far ahead. It is also depending on how their body is responding, how they are enjoying just playing one format of the game if they are having good form then we will see what happens going forward,” he said.

Rohit and Virat will be next seen in action in the three-match ODI series against South Africa.