Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli: The Rolling Stones of Indian cricket have one more song

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (BCCI Photo) THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Rohit Sharma will turn 40 soon. Virat Kohli is not far behind – 38 in a couple of months. Most cricketers of that age would have hung up their boots and slipped behind the commentary microphone. Rohit and Virat did not. They still show up at the nets, work just as hard and match the efforts of teammates half their age.With their Test and T20I careers well behind them, the 50-over format now remains and they plan to play ODIs with the 2027 World Cup as the ultimate goal.The road to next year’s exhibition tournament, co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, goes through Thiruvananthapuram when India take on the West Indies at the Greenfield International Stadium on Sunday.Kohli, the leading ODI century maker with 54 tons, has declared that next year’s World Cup will mark the end of his career for India and is determined to pour everything he has into one last push for the title.“For me, this is the last World Cup I will play for India,” Kohli told JioStar. “The goal is absolutely to win the World Cup and whatever it takes, I’m absolutely ready,” he said.Two months ago, Rohit ended talk of retirement with a masterful 138 in the third ODI against England at Lord’s.When you watch Rohit and Virat, you don’t feel that the two cricketers are slowing down, but that the two musicians are refusing to slow down.Like Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. Jagger controlled the theater and swaggered. Richards was the riff and rhythm. They are the iconic Rolling Stones. Virat is Jagger with his intensity. Rohit is calm and languid.They shared locker rooms for two decades and faced several ups and downs. Yet it’s the contrast that makes their partnership compelling.Like artists who choose their final canvas, Rohit and Virat have chosen ODIs, a format long enough to reward experience and challenging enough to test their fitness and stamina. Narrowing their focus to just one format will make every ODI between now and the 2027 World Cup a riveting watch. India are expected to play at least 25 ODIs in this period.Indian bowling coach Morne Morkel admitted that the team is “lucky” to have their experience. “It’s always great to have that experience back on the team and also to lead Shubman (Gill).” Rohit and Virat would also exchange knowledge with newcomers Naman Dhir and Aquib Nabi.“If Virat and Rohit are having the conversation, there’s a lot of experience in those conversations that can be great for the team,” Morkel said of the synergy.On Sunday, Thiruvananthapuram will be more than just another stop on the calendar. Expect showstoppers Rohit and Virat to put on a show.