Former India cricketer Ashish Nehra believes that for veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to continue playing until the 2027 ODI World Cup, it will depend on their physical and mental fitness. With younger players emerging and making runs, Kohli and Sharma will need to keep raising the bar to maintain their positions in the team.
"It involves both physical and mental aspects. 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," Nehra told India Today’s sister channel Sports Tak.
Also on ABP Live | Sri Lanka Pacer Ruled Out From IND vs SL Series, Replacement Yet To Be Named: Report
"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'. 4 years is far away, but it's a great thought. But, if that can be done, nothing like it," he added.
By the next edition of ODI World Cup event in 2027, Indian batting stalwart Virat Kohli will be over 38 years old and captain Rohit Sharma will be 40 years old.
Virat, Rohit to return to action in IND vs SL ODI series
T20 World Cup winners Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are currently on holiday with their families. The senior batters will return to cricketing action when India takes on Sri Lanka in a three-match One Day International series, starting from August 2nd onwards.