"It's a no-brainer.." Dinesh Karthik opines if Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma should play ODI CWC in 2027

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will make India comeback in the ODI series Down Under.

Former India wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik has made a big declaration about Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s futures ahead of the ODI series against Australia. The three-match ODI series, which begins on Sunday, October 19, in Perth, will be Shubman Gill’s maiden assignment as India’s 50-over captain, succeeding Rohit.

Karthik stated for Cricbuzz on Wednesday, October 15, that whether the two players would play in the 2027 World Cup is ultimately determined by their own willingness. He noted that based on their preparations, both appear to be on track to participate in the huge event.

“It is a long way away, but with these two players in it, it only adds to the value and depth that India has in terms of experience and, most importantly, as match-winners. For me, it’s a no-brainer to have them. It’s only a question of whether they want it, and by the looks of it, all they want to do is prepare for 2027, a couple of years away, and the journey will start when they head to Australia after a long time,” Karthik said.

Karthik further stated that Rohit still harbors an ODI World Cup win after the heartbreak of the 2023 World Cup final.

“First up, Rohit Sharma. I think from the moment he lost that 2023 World Cup final in Ahmedabad, his dream has been to be the captain of a team that wins a World Cup, which he achieved in 2024 in the Caribbean. But I think that fire is still burning. He wants to win a 50-over World Cup. He’s retired from two formats. If you look at the stats of Rohit Sharma from the 2023 World Cup onwards, over a thousand runs at an average of 48, and we all know the kind of strike rate he plays at,” he added.

Rohit has an excellent record in ODIs, with 11,168 runs at an average of 48.76 with a strike rate of 92.80 in 273 matches. He has scored 32 centuries and 58 fifties, with a highest score of 264.

Virat Kohli is the kind of player you want: Dinesh Karthik

In the same video, Karthik heaped rich praise on Virat Kohli, stating that the veteran batter is a must-have for the Indian team in the 2027 ODI World Cup, given his mastery in chases, and highlighted his ability to absorb pressure and perform in big moments.

“And then we have the master of chases, the king, as they call him, Virat Kohli. If you look at Virat Kohli’s stats post the 2023 World Cup, upwards of a thousand runs again at an average of 65, I don’t think you need to say more than that. He brings experience to the table, and, most importantly, cometh the hour, cometh the man. We’ve heard it a long time, and we’ve heard it a lot of times as well, but that line definitely belongs to Virat Kohli in cricket,” Karthik said.

“If there’s ever a batter who’s played this sport and knows how to take on the big moments, you won’t find better than Virat Kohli. As an Indian team, if you have to ask anybody, they’ll say Virat Kohli is the kind of player you want because he knows how to be aggressive, but most importantly, if there needs to be some sort of pressure that needs to be absorbed, he’s the man for you,” he added.

Kohli has played 302 ODIs, scoring 14,181 runs at an average of 57.88, including 51 centuries and 74 fifties. His highest score is 183*, and he was the highest run-getter in the last World Cup edition in 2023.

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