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Indications On Kohli, Rohit's ODI Future: Irfan Feels Communication Is Clear From Management

Poulomi Chakraborty

Irfan Pathan On Rohit-Kohli's Future (Source: @ImHydro45/x.com, @IrfanPathan/x.com)Irfan Pathan On Rohit-Kohli's Future (Source: @ImHydro45/x.com, @IrfanPathan/x.com)

After a long stretch of red-ball thrillers, Team India is shifting their focus to white ball cricket. With the Asia Cup fast approaching, a high-voltage ODI series against Australia awaits, marking the much-anticipated return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to the spotlight.

With the 2027 ODI World Cup in sight, the big question remains: will the RO-KO duo make it to the marquee event? But according to Irfan Pathan, chief selector Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir are very clear with their plan for the duo.

Irfan Pathan Believes Gambhir-Agarkar Have A Clear Vision

After Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the T20I and Test formats, Team India is going through a transitional phase. As the Test format already welcomed the new captain, the biggest upcoming vision is the 2027 ODI World Cup. As Rohit-Kohli, both are set to return in the ODI format in the upcoming ODI series against Australia.

Although they are ready for a comeback in the upcoming series, their future till the 2027 ODI World Cup is still uncertain. In an exclusive chat with RevSportz, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan said head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar have a well-laid plan for them and a clear vision for the mega event.

“I really think that should be the case, and I hope that the communication has been very clear. Knowing Gautam (Gambhir) and Ajit (Agarkar), I think they have made it very clear in terms of communication. And as I said, having game time regularly will keep away all sorts of challenges,” Pathan said.

What Can Be A Challenge For Ro-Ko?

Stepping out from the Test and T20I format, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma played professional cricket in IPL 2025. As they are coming back in the upcoming ODI series against Australia, they have only 27 ODIs before the 2027 ODI World Cup. Highlighting their road ahead, Irfan Pathan pointed out that limited match practice could be their biggest challenge.

“For Kohli and Rohit, the only challenge would be to play regular cricket. Otherwise, they are all outstanding. Talking about these professional cricketers, whose only focus is to play cricket for now, the biggest challenge for them would be playing regularly and staying fit. Virat is going to play IPL only, and then whenever there is First-Class cricket, but just to play and not to prove anything,” he said. 

"So, continuing the game time will not be an easy task. T20 has taken over and one-dayers have taken a backseat, so number of matches has gotten changed in both. World Cup 2027 won’t be a challenge if continuity of the game time is handled. Unfortunately, there will be pressure on them,” he added.

After a heartbreaking exit in the 2023 ODI World Cup, Team India has set their eyes on the 2027 ODI World Cup. Being the stalwart of the side for long, Rohit-Kohli’s participation is still a puzzle to be solved. By the time of the event, age will be a factor for both of them. As the ultimate decision is yet to be taken, fans are waiting to see RO-KO magic on South African soil.