Sanath Jayasuriya Advocates for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in 2027 ODI World Cup

Support for Veteran Players

Sanath Jayasuriya, the former Sri Lankan cricket star, has expressed his support for India's ODI legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to participate in the 2027 ODI World Cup. He believes that their presence will greatly benefit younger players, providing them with invaluable learning opportunities. Jayasuriya, renowned as one of the greatest all-rounders and a formidable batsman of his time, shared these insights during the Corporate Cricket World Cup launch event held in Gurugram.

The Current Status of Rohit and Virat

At ages 39 and 37, respectively, Rohit and Virat have transitioned to being ODI-exclusive players after retiring from Test cricket in May of the previous year. They also stepped away from T20 internationals following India's triumph in the T20 World Cup 2024. The absence of ODI matches on the schedule has sparked discussions regarding their future and potential participation in the upcoming World Cup.

Jayasuriya's Perspective

In response to the ongoing discussions, Jayasuriya remarked, "The Indian team comprises both youthful talent and seasoned experience, creating a balanced squad. Young players can gain a lot from the wisdom of experienced teammates. Having senior players is advantageous, especially for future World Cups, as it fosters a beneficial learning environment for the younger generation."

Rohit Sharma's Remarkable ODI Journey

Rohit Sharma has participated in three World Cups from 2015 to 2023, consistently excelling in each tournament. He was the top run-scorer in the 2019 World Cup, amassing 648 runs across nine matches, which included five centuries and one half-century. Overall, he ranks as the fourth-highest run-scorer in World Cup history, with 1,575 runs in 28 matches at an impressive average of 60.57, featuring seven centuries—the highest by any player in World Cup history—and six fifties. In ODIs, Rohit stands as India's third-highest run-scorer, with a total of 11,895 runs from 288 matches at an average of 48.95, including 34 centuries and 62 fifties.

Virat Kohli's Exceptional ODI Achievements

Virat Kohli holds the title of the second-highest run-scorer in World Cup history, with 1,795 runs in 37 matches at an average of 59.83, which includes five centuries and 12 fifties. His overall ODI record is equally impressive, with 14,941 runs in 314 matches at an average of 58.59, featuring 54 centuries and 79 fifties. Kohli is particularly renowned for his performance in successful run-chases, having scored 6,235 runs in 111 matches at an astonishing average of 89.07, including 24 centuries and 29 fifties.

Current ODI Performance

In the current ODI season, Virat has accumulated 384 runs in six innings, boasting an average of 64.00 and a strike rate exceeding 106, with one century and three fifties. Rohit, on the other hand, has faced some fluctuations, scoring 379 runs in nine innings at an average of 42.11 and a strike rate of over 99, including one century and one fifty, with his highest score being 138 against England at Lord's.