Sourav Ganguly has weighed in on the prospects of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma participating in the 2027 ODI World Cup, suggesting that their path to the tournament won't be easy. With the World Cup scheduled to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, Kohli will be 38 and Rohit will be nearing 40, raising concerns about their fitness and form.
Ganguly acknowledged the immense contributions of both players, who have collectively amassed over 25,000 runs and 83 international centuries. Both Kohli and Rohit have expressed a strong desire to participate in the 2027 World Cup, especially after retiring from Test cricket. Their retirements from the longer format have fueled hopes that they will focus on and be available for the 50-over global event.
However, Ganguly cautioned that age and the evolving nature of the game could present significant challenges. "All of us must understand, just like everyone, the game will go away from them and they will go away from the game," Ganguly told PTI in an interview. He noted that with only about 15 international games a year, maintaining peak fitness and securing their places in the squad would be difficult. India is scheduled to play 27 ODIs across nine bilateral series before the World Cup.
Despite the challenges, Ganguly refrained from offering specific advice to the two veterans. "I have got no advice. I think they know the game as much as I do. They will take a call," he stated, expressing confidence in their understanding of the game and their ability to make informed decisions about their careers.
Ganguly also addressed the inevitable transition that Indian cricket will face when Kohli and Rohit eventually retire. While acknowledging that finding a like-for-like replacement for Kohli would be a daunting task, he expressed optimism about the future of Indian cricket. "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 said, suggesting that other talented players are ready to step up and fill the void.
In addition to discussing Kohli and Rohit, Ganguly reflected on the career of Yuvraj Singh, praising his exceptional abilities in white-ball cricket. He lamented that Yuvraj didn't get enough opportunities to showcase his talent in Test matches, attributing it to the strength of India's batting lineup at the time. "I remember seeing Yuvraj for the first time in Nairobi and saw that he is special. What he went on to do for India after that in one-day cricket is unreal," Ganguly reminisced.
