Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has weighed in on the prospects of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma participating in the 2027 ODI World Cup, suggesting that it won't be a straightforward path for the two modern-day greats.

Kohli and Sharma, who have recently retired from Test cricket, have expressed their desire to represent India in the 50-over World Cup, scheduled to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. By the time the tournament commences, Kohli will be 38, while Sharma will be nearing 40.

Ganguly acknowledged the immense talent and experience that Kohli and Sharma bring to the table, with a combined tally of 25,000 runs and 83 international centuries. However, he also highlighted the challenges they would face in maintaining their fitness and securing their places in the squad, considering their age and the limited number of ODI opportunities in the lead-up to the tournament.

According to the Future Tours Programme (FTP), India is slated to play 27 ODIs before the 2027 World Cup, which translates to approximately 15 international games per year for Kohli and Sharma. Ganguly pointed out that playing just 15 matches a year could make it difficult for them to stay in peak form and remain competitive.

"It won't be easy, with 15 games a year," Ganguly told PTI. "But all of us must understand that just like everyone, the game will go away from them and they will go away from the game."

When asked if he had any specific advice for Kohli and Sharma, Ganguly said that he didn't. “I have got no advice. I think they know the game as much I do. They will take a call."

Ganguly also acknowledged that finding a player of Kohli's caliber to replace him won't be easy, though he is not worried about Indian cricket after the retirement of the two stalwarts. "I was not concerned at all. Virat is a class player. Finding his replacement will take time. But the rest, I wasn't surprised," he stated.

Ganguly's remarks underscore the evolving landscape of international cricket, where the increasing prominence of franchise-based tournaments and the World Test Championship has led to a reduction in the number of ODIs. This shift in priorities presents a unique challenge for players like Kohli and Sharma, who have built their careers on excelling in all three formats of the game.

Despite the obstacles, Kohli and Sharma's determination to play in the 2027 World Cup suggests that they are prepared to adapt to the changing dynamics of the sport. Whether they can successfully navigate the challenges and achieve their goal remains to be seen, but their pursuit will undoubtedly be closely followed by cricket fans around the world.