Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (Agency Pic) Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has shared his views on the future of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in ODI cricket, including their potential participation in the 2027 World Cup, as the duo prepares to return for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia from October 19. This is their first appearance in India colors since announcing their retirement from Test cricket earlier this year.During an interaction with Fox Sports, Shastri expressed confidence in the abilities of both players and their continued motivation to contribute to Indian limited-overs cricket.
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“(Virat Kohli is) a master chaser and Rohit is explosive at the top. He feels they have enough cricket in them,” Shastri said.The former coach emphasized that longevity of players in international cricket will depend on multiple factors.“It depends on how hungry you are, how fit you are, whether the passion for the game is still there. With their experience, it will come in very handy,” he said.As for discussions about the 2027 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Shastri advocated a more immediate focus.“I would say take it one series at a time. It’s still a long way to go,” he commented.Shastri also addressed the possibility of players deciding their future in the format.“Virat retired from Test Cricket, as did Rohit. They weren’t asked to retire. They went on their own. I think it’s similar. If they’re not enjoying it, if the form isn’t good, you never know. They could pull the plug themselves.”The BCCI has taken a clear stand on the matter, with vice-president Rajeev Shukla dismissing reports suggesting that the Australia ODIs could be the last international series for both players.The upcoming series against Australia is significant as both Kohli and Rohit have retired from the Test and T20I formats, so their presence in the ODIs is crucial for India’s transition to the white ball.Their performance in the three-match series will be closely monitored to assess their potential role in India’s future ODI plans, especially with the 2027 FIFA World Cup in mind.
