As India look ahead to the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, the debate around the future of two of their greatest modern-day cricketers—Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli—continues to dominate discussions. Rohit is now 37 and Kohli 38. By the time the next World Cup arrives, each will be two years older, placing them in the twilight of their careers. Whether the duo can or should be part of India’s long-term plans has been an ongoing question.
However, the first ODI between India and South Africa in Ranchi seems to have offered a convincing answer. Among those who believe the pair must remain central to India’s 2027 plans is former India captain Kris Srikkanth, a member of India’s historic 1983 World Cup-winning side. According to him, any notion of India lifting the 2027 trophy without their two senior statesmen is simply unrealistic.
Rohit Sharma’s innings of 57 off 51 balls, featuring three towering sixes, was a timely reminder of his continued relevance. With his third six, he surpassed Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi to become the player with the most sixes in the history of ODI cricket—an achievement that underlines both longevity and unmatched power-hitting ability.
Virat Kohli, meanwhile, produced an innings of remarkable class. His 135 off 120 deliveries, embellished with eleven fours and seven sixes, marked his 52nd ODI century. In partnership, Rohit and Kohli added 136 runs for the second wicket, a stand that laid the foundation of India’s dominance. During the powerplay, the pair guided India to 80 runs, setting a pace South Africa struggled to contain. When their partnership ended at 161 for one after 21.2 overs, the visitors were already under immense pressure.
Speaking on his YouTube channel after the match, Srikkanth praised their contrasting yet complementary styles: “Kohli and Rohit are operating at a different level. Without these two, India’s 2027 World Cup plans will not work. You need Rohit at one end and Kohli at the other. There should be no debate about it.”
The former opener, known in his own playing days for fearless strokeplay, further explained the duo’s impact: “If Rohit and Kohli stay together for even 20 overs, the opposition are finished. This match proved that again. Their partnership was the difference.”
Srikkanth also highlighted their extraordinary fitness standards. Despite no longer featuring in Tests or T20 internationals, both have maintained exceptional physical conditioning while playing solely in the ODI format. “Maintaining such discipline and mental focus when you play only one format is not easy,” he said.
He concluded emphatically: “I believe their positions at No. 1 and No. 3 in the batting order for the 2027 World Cup are secure. Without them, we will not win.”
The 2027 World Cup will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia—conditions in which experience and technique against pace and bounce will be invaluable. For Srikkanth, that is yet another reason why India must not consider moving on from their two senior stalwarts just yet.