When players reach the stature of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, every conversation about India’s future circles back to them. Both retired from Test cricket earlier this year, and rumours began about whether they can sustain in one-day internationals till the ODI World Cup 2027. With them being 37 and 38, and the demands of modern-day cricket just soaring up series by series, the Indian management seriously had their doubts as far as the roadmap for the next ODI World Cup is concerned.
But after the Ranchi masterclass in the first ODI against South Africa, former India selector Kris Srikkanth has firmly shut that door, insisting that the 2027 ODI World Cup is impossible to win without the “Ro-Ko” pairing at the top. Kohli’s magnificent 135 and Rohit’s dominating 57 powered India to 349, setting the base for a 17-run victory and a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Their 136-run partnership reminded everyone of how dangerous they still are when batting together.
“Rohit, Kohli’s World Cup spots are sealed.”
Reacting to the debate around their future, Srikkanth was blunt and said that India cannot think about winning the ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa without them. “Kohli and Rohit are playing on another level. Without these two, the 2027 World Cup plans will not work out. You need Rohit at one end and Virat at another. There should be no questions asked,” he said on his YouTube channel.
He added that it was the partnership that finished South Africa mentally in Ranchi: “If Rohit and Kohli bat for 20 overs, the opposition is gone. Today, that’s what happened. They were literally batted out.”
The former opener also stressed that the duo’s commitment and fitness despite playing only one format should end the doubts permanently. “They have worked very hard. It’s not easy to maintain your mindset like this when only playing one format. As far as I am concerned, they have sealed their spots for 2027 World Cup. We can’t win without them.”
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