Maninder Singh Discusses Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's Future Ahead of 2027 World Cup

Concerns Surrounding India's ODI Stars

In Noida, Uttar Pradesh, former Indian cricketer Maninder Singh shared his insights regarding the performances of ODI legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. He acknowledged that while there are concerns about their current form as they approach the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, both players are undeniably 'champion players' with immense mental fortitude and the ability to turn matches around.

The upcoming ODI series against England, commencing on July 14, is expected to reignite the excitement in Indian cricket, particularly with the presence of Rohit and Virat, who are nearing the end of their international careers. Each of their appearances since India's victory in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy has been closely monitored, especially as they prepare for the World Cup next year at ages 40 and 38, respectively. Despite the ongoing scrutiny and speculation about their futures, the iconic duo continues to showcase their discipline and fitness, consistently scoring runs.

However, Rohit's recent hamstring issues during the IPL and a slight dip in his ODI form have raised questions about his longevity in the game, with young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal waiting for an opportunity. On the other hand, Virat appears to be in better shape, having recently secured his second consecutive title with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). He did face a hamstring injury during the IPL finals, which kept him out of the home ODIs against Afghanistan in June. Nevertheless, he has been named in the England ODI squad, pending fitness tests. Reports suggest he is on track for a significant role in the series after undergoing a fitness assessment at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

In an interview, Maninder expressed that he is not overly concerned about Virat's fitness due to his rigorous training and high intensity during practice. However, he does have some reservations about Rohit, whose performance has been inconsistent. He stated, 'Virat Kohli's fitness is exceptional, and Rohit is also making strides in that direction. Yet, with the World Cup approaching, there are valid concerns about their ability to maintain form. As age increases, reflexes tend to slow down. I have confidence in Virat's dedication and passion for the game, as he approaches practice sessions with the same intensity as a match.'

Maninder added, 'There are occasional worries regarding Rohit because his performance fluctuates. With the World Cup on the horizon, it's natural to have concerns 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.'

During the IPL final against the Gujarat Titans, Virat struggled with his running but managed to lead RCB to a challenging 156-run target with an impressive 75 not out off 42 balls.

He concluded the IPL season as the fourth-highest run-scorer, amassing 675 runs in 16 innings at an average of 56.25 and a strike rate of 165.84, including a century and five fifties, with a top score of 105 not out.

At 37, Virat is regarded as one of the greatest ODI batsmen, ranking second in all-time runs with 14,797 in 299 innings at an average of 58.71, featuring 54 centuries—the highest by any player—and 77 fifties, with a best score of 183.

Virat has transitioned to being an ODI-exclusive player, having retired from T20Is after the 2024 World Cup and from Test cricket last May, just before the 2025-27 ICC World Test Championship cycle.

Since last year, 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 pivotal in India's ICC Champions Trophy victory last year.

Since the Australia tour last year, marking his journey as an ODI-exclusive player, he has accumulated 616 runs in nine matches at an average of 88 and a strike rate of 106.39, with three centuries and three fifties. In his latest ODI series against New Zealand, he was the top scorer for India, amassing 240 runs in three matches at an average of 80.00, including one century and one fifty.

Conversely, Rohit has had a challenging IPL season, scoring 283 runs in nine matches at an average of 35.37 and a strike rate of 157.62, with two fifties and a best score of 84. He faced a significant setback due to a hamstring injury. His ODI performance has also been inconsistent this year, with 204 runs in six ODIs at an average of 34.00, including a half-century and a top score of 79. In 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 at an average of 48.83 and a strike rate of 92.97, including 33 centuries and 62 fifties, with a best 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, featuring two centuries and five fifties, including a match-winning 76 in the ICC Champions Trophy final.