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Former I ndia cricketer Mohammad Kaif feels that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli deserve to play the 2027 ODI World Cup as the team needs experienced players in major tournaments. He then went on to predict that if the two do feature in the competition, then they will play definitely play some match-winning knocks. Kaif also believes that the duo shouldn't be judged based on their upcoming innings against Australia in the three-match ODI series that is set to commence from October 19.
“In the World Cup, you will need experienced players. If they’ve decided that they’re not being treated right, and they’re close to retirement, that’s their personal choice. But if both of them play in the World Cup, India’s pride will rise, and match-winning innings will definitely come from their bats. My only appeal is not to judge them based on two or three innings,” Kaif said on his YouTube channel.
Kaif further stated that Rohit especially shouldn't be assessed on his innings in Australia, pointing out how the latter has been known to deliver mostly in big matches. He referreede to how Rohit hadn't been able to score much in almost India's entire 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, but ended up playing a match-winning knock of 76 in the final when his team needed it the most.
“People are saying that Virat Kohli will be assessed, but I think that is something which will apply to Rohit Sharma. Rohit is not captaining, and the way he has been playing over the years, scoring 20 to 30, but when a big match comes, he scores 80, a match-winning knock, that’s how his career has gone. He never scores consistently," Kaif stated.
“The difference between him and Kohli in their numbers is that Kohli brings consistency, while Rohit brings match-winning innings and knocks. It will be difficult for the selectors. What if Rohit fails in the Australia series? People will say he is out of form, but if you look at his career, he often fails in two or three innings and then comes back strong. Even in the Champions Trophy, he scored 30 to 40 in the early games and then became the Player of the Match in the final,” he added.
Rohit and Virat finally set for international comeback
The upcoming series will see Rohit and Virat donning the Indian jersey for the first time since the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand in March. The two were expected to feature in India's five-match Test series against England, but shockingly announced their retirements from the format with the assignment being around the corner.
India's squad for Australia ODIs: Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (VC), Axar Patel, KL Rahul (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal.
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