Ashish Nehra on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s Chances for 2027 ODI World Cup

Former India pacer Ashish Nehra has shared his perspective on the potential of cricket legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli playing until the 2027 ODI World Cup. This insight follows new India head coach Gautam Gambhir’s statement that if both veterans manage to stay fit, they will be key players for the marquee event in 2027.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their retirements from T20I after the recent T20 World Cup final and are now set to focus exclusively on ODIs and Tests, with two major ICC events scheduled for next year. Speaking on their prospects, Nehra emphasized the importance of continuous self-improvement.

“It involves both physical and mental aspects,” Nehra told Sports Today. “It depends on your passion and motivation, and in these aspects, there is no dearth at all when it comes to Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. It’s because of their drive that they have reached where they are today. From here, young guns like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Sai Sudharsan will keep making runs and push you. For that, you need to keep raising your bar. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have done that and shown.”

While Gambhir has kept the door open for Rohit and Kohli’s participation in the 2027 ODI World Cup, Nehra acknowledged the challenge but remained optimistic.

“2027 is far away at this point. But it’s great thinking. If you ask me, I want to be 18 all my life. I didn’t want to retire. If you give Gambhir a choice and tell him his body is fit, he will say ‘No Sai Sudharsan, I am ready’. Four years is far away, but it’s a great thought. But, if that can be done, nothing like it,” Nehra added.

Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as India’s new head coach begins on July 27, when Suryakumar Yadav and the team face Sri Lanka in a three-match T20I series. The series includes three T20Is followed by as many ODIs, starting on August 2. Gambhir, who replaced Rahul Dravid after India’s victory at the T20 World Cup 2024, is expected to bring a fresh approach to the team. Gambhir, a two-time World Cup winner, is anticipated to instill a winning mindset and new strategies for Team India.

As India prepares for the upcoming series and future ICC events, the possibility of seeing Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli continue to shine on the international stage remains a topic of great interest and anticipation among fans and experts alike.

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