Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli doing everything to last till World Cup 2027: Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting believes Indian superstars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are doing everything in their power to extend their careers till the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa. The former Australia captain said that champions like Kohli and Rohit should never be written off, especially considering the hunger that both still show even at this stage of their careers.

Kohli and Rohit, who have already retired from Test cricket, are now exclusively ODI players for India outside of their IPL commitments. And despite growing fitness concerns around Rohit and constant speculation about Kohli’s future, both the veterans have been included in India’s ODI squad again for the upcoming Afghanistan series starting on June 14.

Speaking to PTI, Ponting admitted that he could clearly see the two Indian greats pushing for one final ODI World Cup campaign.

“I see them pushing forward and trying to get there. One thing I’ve always said about champions is you never say no. You never write them off,” Ponting said.

Ponting particularly praised Kohli’s consistency and competitive hunger during IPL 2026, where the RCB superstar was once again among the best batsmen of the tournament.

“Virat is a good example of that again through this IPL. He doesn’t play as much international cricket as he used to, but the determination and desire to win is still there,” Ponting added.

The former Australian captain also highlighted Rohit Sharma’s improved fitness during IPL 2026 despite the Mumbai Indians skipper battling a hamstring injury earlier in the season.

“Rohit Sharma has turned up at this IPL in better physical condition than I’ve seen him in probably 10 or 12 years,” Ponting added.

“So there’s still a passion in those guys to push themselves and make themselves the best players they can be. So like I said, never say never.”

TEAM INDIA 2027 ODI WORLD CUP PREPARATION BEGINS

Ponting’s comments come at a time when The Indian selectors themselves seem keen to keep both the veterans involved as an ODI setup is gradually starting to prepare for the 2027 World Cup cycle.

India internally discussed the possibility of resting Rohit and Kohli for the Afghanistan ODI series after IPL 2026. However, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee ultimately decided that regular match time was now more important for the two veterans as they only play one international format.

The selectors also reportedly felt that the younger players in India’s transitional ODI setup would benefit from spending more time around the two senior figures during the series.

Virat Kohli’s spot currently looks significantly more stable due to the extraordinary consistency he continues to display.

The RCB batsman has scored 542 runs in 13 IPL 2026 matches at an average of over 54 and a strike rate of over 164, including another century against Kolkata Knight Riders. Kohli also recently became the fastest batsman in history to reach 14,000 T20 runs.

However, Rohit Sharma’s situation remains a bit more complicated due to growing fitness concerns around him.

Although Rohit has scored 283 runs in eight IPL 2026 innings with two half-centuries in a strike rate of 160-plus, the veteran opener continues to manage a nagging hamstring injury. The injury forced him to miss four matches for Mumbai Indians earlier in the season and he has largely featured only as an Impact Player since his return.

WILL VIRAT KOHLI, ROHIT SHARMA PLAY WORLD CUP IN ODI 2027?

Right now, nobody in Indian cricket seems willing to rule out either player completely.

The BCCI and the selectors have reportedly made it clear internally that selection for the 2027 ODI World Cup will depend entirely on form, fitness and consistency closer to the tournament rather than reputation alone.

And while Kohli’s batting levels still look elite enough for another World Cup campaign, Rohit’s challenge may end up being more physical than technical.

The former India captain’s ODI numbers remain extremely strong. In his last 10 ODI innings, Rohit has scored four fifties and one century. The bigger question is whether his body can continue to handle the physical demands of another two-year international cycle.

A BCCI source recently admitted that it is still too early to take a definitive call on the future of either player.

“It is too early to say they will play in the World Cup. It is still a long way off,” the source said.

However, for now, both Kohli and Rohit seem still determined to push forward.

And as Ponting pointed out, writing off champions has rarely ended well in cricket.

– The end

Issued by:

Debodinna Chakraborty

Published on:

21 May 2026 20:16 IST

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