'Would definitely feel that they should...': Two-time IPL winner gives crucial advice to Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to stay in contention for 2027 ODI World Cup

Former India cricketer Partiv Patel opened up on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's future amid the speculations on the duo's ODI retirement before the ODI World Cup 2027. The batting duo has already retired from T20Is and Tests and they will now be seen featuring in the upcoming ODI series against Australia.

The speculations about Rohit and Virat's ODI future started when BCCI's chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar announced India's squad for the ODI series against Australia, where he shocked everyone by announcing Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma's sucessor to lead India in ODIs.

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Parthiv Patel for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's future

Parthiv, who is a two-time IPL winner, said that he does not doubt that Rohit and Virat are working hard in the nets like they have always done, but the ODI World Cup is two years away, and the challenge would be to remain match-fit.

"Two years is a long time and especially if you see there aren't too many ODI games. Like earlier times when there used to be 20-25 games a year, you get on a roll and before you know two years passed by.

"But it is a different challenge and we are also new to this kind of a challenge. The challenge is to keep themselves match-fit " Parthiv Patel told PTI.

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Parthiv Patel's advice for Rohit and Virat

Parthiv Patel believes that if Rohit and Virat had the plans to play Vijay Hazare games in between the South Africa and New Zealand ODIs, it will only help them stay in touch.

"I would definitely feel that they should play Vijay Hazare Trophy. It is not about setting an example like 'We have made Kohli and Rohit play Vijay Hazare'. That's not how I would like to think.

"Playing Hazare Trophy will help their own game and that in turn will help the Indian cricket team."

Will Rohit and Virat play domestic cricket?

There are reports that the batting duo Rohit and Virat will likely feature in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025 for Mumbai and Delhi, respectively, before the New Zealand ODI series, which is scheduled to take place in January. Notably, Rohit's last appearance in a white-ball domestic tournament was in 2018. In his last VHT assignment, Rohit, playing for Mumbai, remained unbeaten on 33 in the quarter-final against Bihar. He managed 17 off 24 in the semi-final against Hyderabad. On the other hand, Virat's most recent Vijay Hazare Trophy outing was in 2010 against Services. Coincidentally, Kohli’s own VHT debut also came four months before his international debut in 2008.