Why even discuss it? Coach Virat Kohli is confident that he will be in the 2027 World Cup

There is still a question about Virat Kohli’s place in India’s ODI World Cup 2027 plans. However, his childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma feels that there should be no doubt at all.

“I think you should see for yourself what he’s doing, what he’s done in the last few matches and how he’s doing on the field. So I think there shouldn’t even be a discussion about it,” Rajkumar told IndiaToday.in on the sidelines of a Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) ceremony to honor and reward local cricketers in Delhi.

As of Champions Trophy 2025, Kohli is India’s leading run-scorer in ODIs, having made 760 runs in 12 matches at an average of 76, including three hundreds and five fifties. For Rajkumar, the show has already become a case.

“As a player I think he’s a great player. He’s a match-winner without a doubt. He’s a match-winner on the day,” he said.

“ROHIT IS A MATCH WINNER”

The same, Rajkumar believes, is true for Rohit. At 39, former Indian captain still finds itself at the center of speculation over his ODI future despite scoring 727 runs in 15 matches since the Champions Trophy at an average of 51.92, including two hundreds.

“I mean, as a player, I think he’s a great player. He’s a match-winner without a doubt. He’s a match-winner on the day.”

Rohit’s century at Lord’s in July he briefly pushed retirement chatter to the backburner, and his hundred served as the kind of on-field response that was missing from the debate. Still, speculation resurfaced ahead of the BCCI’s assessment session in September, prompting the secretary Devajit Saikia to address it directlyhe insisted that Rohit was still playing brilliantly and remained firmly in the selectors’ plans.

But while Rohit’s future continues to raise questions, Rajkumar sees no reason to spend time debating Kohli. His confidence stems from watching the game long before he became one of the biggest names in world cricket.

“He had tremendous confidence in his own abilities and he works really hard. He has a tremendous work ethic,” Rajkumar said.

These qualities, he believes, were visible from the beginning.

“Yeah, he was a man from God. I mean, God made him for cricket and his work ethic was just great and that’s why he became such a great player.” Courtesy: Rajkumarcricket/Instagram

For Rajkumar, Kohli’s longevity is not just about runs. He points to the standards the former captain has set with his fitness and preparation.

“He gave a fitness mantra not only to cricketers but to the whole country. So he has contributed a lot for Indian cricket and I am really proud of him.”

That pride is deeply personal. Rajkumar has been a part of Kohli’s journey for over 25 years, ever since the youngster first came to his club.

“We also talk to each other. When he became captain, he said he never thought we’d be there. So, I guess it’s a nostalgic moment. We always remember it.”

The West Indies series, which begins on September 27, offers Kohli and Rohit another chance to turn the conversation back to cricket. With three ODIs in 10 days, the two veterans will have little lack of scrutiny – or opportunity – to emphasize that their value is still best measured by what they produce in the middle.

And the calendar offers them an extraordinary path. India travel to New Zealand for five ODIs between November 4 and 15 before Sri Lanka arrive for the next three in December. By the time this stretch is over, both will have had a significant chunk of 50-over cricket in which to shape the contention for their place in the 2027 World Cup squad.

– The end

Issued by:

Akshay Ramesh

Published on:

11 Sep 2026 09:01 IST