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Suresh Raina has requested Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to play the 2027 ODI World Cup, citing their experience and up to date title wins for India.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma last played ODIs in March (Picture credit: AFP)
Former India cricketer Suresh Raina has said that Rohit Sharma and ace batter Virat Kohli should play the 2027 ODI World Cup as they’ve been a part of the title-winning team of the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy and have the experience vital for an enormous tournament.
The long run of Rohit and Kohli now hangs within the balance, with the duo having retired from T20Is and Tests and ODIs being the one format where they continue to be energetic.
There have been quite a lot of speculations about Rohit and Kohli’s future, with certain reports suggesting that they could be let go before the 2027 ODI World Cup.
“Rohit & Kohli should play the 2027 ODI World Cup because they’ve won the T20 WC and the Champions Trophy, each Rohit and Virat have a lot experience. I feel they might be there within the 2027 World Cup; they needs to be there,” Raina said while speaking on Subhankar Mishra’s YouTube channel.
With Kohli and Rohit all set to return, all eyes are on the three ODIs in Australia starting October 19, their first games for India because the Champions Trophy final.
The World Cup is over two years away, by which period Rohit might be 40 and Kohli 39. The latter has been grinding within the indoor nets at Lord’s, while Rohit, fresh from a vacation in India, has began training under ex-India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar.
Other than Kohli and Rohit, head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar will play key roles in shaping their future as well.
Kohli and Rohit’s participation in all upcoming ODIs is crucial in the event that they hope to feature in yet one more ICC tournament for India.
Kohli and Rohit’s surprise Test retirements in May shocked the cricketing world, coming just as they were expected to tour England for the five-match series. Inside five days, Rohit and Kohli announced their Test retirements.
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