'Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli might leave IPL if needed, but...': Munaf Patel's big words for RO-KO

India's 2011 World Cup-winner Munaf Patel has expressed strong admiration for batting superstars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, highlighting their 'India-first' mentality. Even as discussions regarding their future in the sport continue to circulate, Patel believes their dedication to the national side remains the primary driver of their careers.

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Despite stepping away from Test and T20I formats, the duo remains fully committed to ODI circuit. This dedication was evident in their participation in last year’s Vijay Hazare Trophy, a move aimed at maintaining peak match fitness as they prepare for the upcoming ODI World Cup, which will be hosted across South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma put the country first: Munaf Patel

Patel stated that representing the country is the ultimate priority for both players, suggesting that their loyalty to the national badge outweighs all else. He even proposed that the two veterans would be willing to sacrifice their lucrative IPL careers if it meant they could prolong their focus and performance on the international stage.

"I have always seen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma put the country first. The level of priority they show is on another level. They might leave the IPL if needed, but they will never leave the Indian team. That's something you will always see," Munaf told the Times of India.

RO-KO's top form in IPL 2026

In the ongoing IPL 2026 season, veteran stars Kohli and Rohit continue to lead their respective franchises, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Mumbai Indians (MI). Kohli was the standout performer for RCB in the IPL 2026 clash against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on April 15. Despite a lingering ankle issue that kept him off the field during LSG's innings, he returned to show imperious form, smashing 49 off 34 balls to help chase down a target of 147 and secure RCB’s third consecutive home win.

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While Kohli is managing his injury through play, Rohit’s physical setbacks have proven more disruptive for Mumbai Indians. The 38-year-old is currently dealing with a serious hamstring injury that forced him to retire hurt on 19 during a recent clash against Kohli's RCB. Unfortunately for Mumbai, this injury is expected to sideline their veteran leader for at least the next two fixtures against the Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans.

The timing of Rohit’s absence is particularly difficult for a struggling Mumbai Indians squad, which has already slumped to three successive defeats. The team's depth is being further tested by the absence of England all-rounder Will Jacks, who has yet to join the camp this season. With Jacks confirmed out for Thursday's match as well, MI faces an uphill battle to turn their season around without two of their key assets.