Samit Patel Praises Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Ahead of ODI World Cup 2027
Patel's Admiration for Indian Cricket Stars
By Utkarsh Rathour
Dubai [UAE], October 14: Samit Patel, the former England all-rounder, has expressed his admiration for Virat Kohli's exceptional skill in managing run chases and commended Rohit Sharma's dynamic leadership and batting prowess. He considers both players to be among the most thrilling athletes in cricket.
During an interview at the ongoing World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2026, Patel praised Kohli for surpassing the impressive milestone of 15,000 runs in One Day Internationals (ODIs). He emphasized Kohli's remarkable composure and his ability to adjust his game based on the match situation.
“Kohli is a true master of chasing. His composure, skill, and understanding of when to accelerate or slow down are simply outstanding. Rohit Sharma, with his explosive batting at the top order, has been a joy to watch. He is a powerful leader and one of India's finest,” Patel remarked.
Patel also contributed to the ongoing discussion about cricket's 'Fab Four,' a term popularized by New Zealand's Martin Crowe. He firmly believes that Kohli, along with Joe Root from England, Kane Williamson from New Zealand, and Australia's Steve Smith, will always be included in this elite group.
“In my view, it will always be Kohli, Root, Williamson, and Smith,” he stated.
Looking ahead to the 2027 ODI World Cup, which will be co-hosted by South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, Patel shared his predictions for the semi-finalists. “You can never count Australia out. India will consistently be a contender, and I believe England will also be in the mix. Don’t overlook South Africa either,” he added.
Patel also discussed India's promising young talent, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, urging the cricketing community to allow the 15-year-old to develop without overwhelming expectations. Sooryavanshi has garnered attention for his aggressive batting style in the Indian Premier League and domestic matches.
“I see Sooryavanshi as a young talent still learning the ropes. It's crucial to give him time to grow and make mistakes. Indian cricket can sometimes be impatient. He’s just a kid and needs support. His talent is evident, especially when he can take on bowlers like Jofra Archer right from the start. Indian cricket must nurture him,” Patel advised.
Currently, Patel is playing for the England Champions in the WCL 2026, where his team has secured two victories out of four matches, placing them second in the standings. They are set to face the Australia Champions in their final league match on Wednesday, with a win ensuring their spot in the semi-finals.
Patel has represented England in six Tests, 36 ODIs, and 18 T20Is from 2008 to 2015, alongside a lengthy domestic career with Nottinghamshire, where he made 629 appearances over 22 years, contributing significantly with both bat and ball.