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Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma To Face Challenges In Road To 2027 WC, Believes Ex-Cricketer

Aakash Saini

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma [Source: @SPORTYVISHAL/x]Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma [Source: @SPORTYVISHAL/x]

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma announced their respective retirements from Test cricket earlier this month. Notably, both modern-day batting behemoths dropped the retirement bombshell within a week from each other.

The two cricketers struggled to make an impact in Tests throughout the year 2024, which compounded in India’s home series defeat to New Zealand and a Border-Gavaskar Trophy loss to Australia ‘Down Under’. While Kohli averaged a meagre 24.52 in the 10 Tests he played last year, Sharma averaged 24.76 in his 14 appearances.

Atul Wassan says Virat and Rohit need a “bigger challenge”

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma confirmed their Test retirements earlier this month. It is worth noting that the two cricketers also concurrently retired from T20Is last year in June after lifting the 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies.

With only ODIs on the plate for the two cricketing superstars, former fast bowler Atul Wassan believes both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will find it difficult to sustain their fitness levels until the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa. While speaking on the Bails and Banter Show, Atul said that the two legendary batters also do not play series against small teams like Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, a factor that can significantly reduce their Team India appearances until the next 50-overs big ticket event.

He said:

“I think it's going to be extremely tough for Virat and Rohit to sustain their fitness levels just by playing IPL, which happens for only two months a year. And they also usually don't play against small teams like Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, as it's less motivating for them. They want a bigger challenge in front of them to get going.”

As per the current ICC FTP programme, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will play 27 ODI matches across nine series and against eight different opponents until the 2027 World Cup, considering if both cricketers choose not to skip any international assignment for the Indian team.