‘Never write them off’: Former cricketer backs Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to push for 2027 ODI World Cup

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli Australian cricket great Ricky Ponting believes India batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are looking to continue till the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa.Kohli and Rohit retired from Test cricket last year and now only play ODI cricket for India. Apart from international matches, most of their cricket now comes in the IPL.Ponting, who led Australia to ODI World Cup titles in 2003 and 2007, said veteran players like Kohli and Rohit should never be written off.“I see them pushing forward and trying to get there. One thing I have always said about championship players is that you never say no. You never write them off,” Ponting, who is the head coach of Punjab Kings, was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.Ponting also praised Kohli’s performances in IPL 2026 and Rohit’s fitness levels this season.“Virat is a good example of that again through this IPL. He’s not playing as much international cricket as he used to, but the determination and desire to win is still there. Rohit Sharma has turned up in this IPL in better physical condition than I’ve seen him in probably 10 or 12 years.”“So the passion is still there for those guys to push themselves and make themselves the best players they can be. So like I said, never say never,” he added.

Which player do you think has shown better form in IPL 2026?

Kohli has scored 542 runs in 13 matches in IPL 2026, including one century. Rohit, who made a comeback after recovering from a hamstring injury, played mostly as an impact player for Mumbai Indians. He scored 283 runs in eight matches, including two half-centuries.Both Kohli and Rohit have maintained strikes above 160 this season.On Tuesday, both the players were named in India’s squad for the three-match ODI series against the Afghanistan national cricket team starting on June 14. Rohit’s selection was subject to fitness due to his hamstring problem.The selectors are expected to make a final call to participate in the 2027 ODI World Cup just before the tournament, depending on their form and fitness.