Maninder Singh Discusses Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's Future in ODI Cricket

Former cricketer Maninder Singh discusses the future of Indian cricket legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as they approach the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup. He highlights their mental strength and match-winning abilities while addressing concerns about their form and fitness. With the ODI series against England on the horizon, both players are under scrutiny, especially given their advancing ages. Singh expresses confidence in Kohli's fitness but raises questions about Sharma's consistency. As they prepare for the upcoming challenges, the cricketing world watches closely to see how these champions perform.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 5, 2026, 22:55 IST

Insights on India's Cricket Legends

Former Indian cricketer Maninder Singh shared his views on the performances of ODI icons Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. He acknowledged that concerns regarding their form and reflexes are valid, especially with the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup on the horizon. However, he emphasized that both players are 'champion players' endowed with significant mental fortitude and the ability to win matches.

The ODI segment of the England tour, commencing on July 14, is expected to reignite the excitement in Indian cricket, particularly with the contributions of Rohit and Virat, who are nearing the end of their international careers. Each of their appearances since the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy has been closely monitored, especially as they approach the World Cup at ages 40 and 38, respectively.

The 'Ro-Ko' Duo Under the Microscope

Despite ongoing scrutiny and speculation about their futures, the renowned 'Ro-Ko' duo continues to showcase their unwavering discipline and fitness, consistently scoring runs. Nonetheless, Rohit's hamstring issues during the IPL and a slight dip in his ODI form have raised concerns, with Yashasvi Jaiswal poised to step in. Conversely, Virat appears to be in better form, having recently secured his second consecutive title with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). He did face a hamstring injury during the IPL finals, which sidelined him from the home ODIs against Afghanistan in June. His inclusion in the England ODI squad is contingent on his fitness, but reports suggest he is on track for a significant role in the series after passing a fitness test at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence.

Maninder Singh's Perspective

In a conversation with a media outlet, Maninder expressed that he is not overly concerned about Virat's performance due to his exceptional fitness and high intensity during practice. However, he does have some reservations about Rohit, whose performances tend to fluctuate.

"Virat Kohli maintains a high fitness level, and Rohit is also making strides in that direction. Yet, with the World Cup approaching, there are legitimate concerns about whether they can regain and sustain their form. As age progresses, reflexes can diminish. I have confidence in Virat's dedication and passion for the game, as he approaches practice sessions with the same intensity as matches," he stated.

"There is some concern regarding Rohit due to his inconsistent performances. As we look ahead to the World Cup, it's natural to have worries about both players. However, they are champions, and mental strength is crucial in international cricket. We hope to see them excel in the upcoming matches, as they are both capable of being match-winners when in form," he concluded.

Virat Kohli's Recent Performance and Statistics

Virat faced challenges during the IPL final against the Gujarat Titans, particularly while running. Nevertheless, he played a pivotal role in leading RCB to a challenging 156-run chase with a remarkable 75* off 42 balls last May. He concluded the IPL as the fourth-highest run-scorer, amassing 675 runs in 16 innings at an impressive average of 56.25 and a strike rate of 165.84, including one century and five fifties, with a top score of 105*.

At 37, Virat is recognized as one of the greatest ODI batsmen, ranking second in all-time runs with 14,797 in 299 innings, averaging 58.71, and holding the record for the most centuries (54) and fifties (77), with a best score of 183.

Dominance as an ODI Specialist

Virat has transitioned to being an ODI-exclusive player, having retired from T20Is after the 2024 World Cup and from Tests in May of last year. Since then, he has scored 891 runs in 16 matches at an average of 68.53 and a strike rate of 98.45, including four centuries and five fifties, with a best score of 135. His contributions were vital in India's ICC Champions Trophy victory last year. Since becoming an ODI-exclusive batter, he has accumulated 616 runs in nine matches at an average of 88 and a strike rate of 106.39, featuring three centuries and three fifties. In his latest ODI appearance against New Zealand earlier this year, he was the top scorer with 240 runs in three matches, averaging 80.00, including one century and one fifty.

Rohit Sharma's Performance Overview

In contrast, Rohit has had a mixed performance in the IPL this year, scoring 283 runs in nine matches at an average of 35.37 and a strike rate of 157.22, with two fifties and a best score of 84. He missed several matches due to a hamstring injury. His ODI form has also been inconsistent, with 204 runs in six ODIs at an average of 34.00, including one half-century and a best score of 79. During the series against Afghanistan, he scored 16, 48, and 79.

Rohit ranks as India's third-highest ODI run-scorer, with 11,720 runs in 285 matches and 277 innings, averaging 48.83 with a strike rate of 92.97, including 33 centuries and 62 fifties, with a top score of 264. Since last year, he has accumulated 854 runs in 20 innings at an average of 44.94, with a strike rate of 100.35, including two centuries and five fifties, highlighted by a match-winning 76 in the ICC Champions Trophy final.