Ricky Ponting believes Indian superstars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are doing everything possible to extend their careers till the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa. The former Australia captain said champions like Kohli and Rohit should never be written off, especially given the hunger both continue to show even at this stage of their careers.
Having already retired from Test cricket, Kohli and Rohit are now exclusively ODI players for India outside of their IPL commitments. And despite growing fitness concerns around Rohit and constant speculation surrounding Kohli’s future, both veterans were once again included in India’s ODI squad for the upcoming Afghanistan series beginning June 14.
Speaking to PTI, Ponting admitted he could clearly see both Indian greats pushing themselves towards one final ODI World Cup campaign.
“I can see them pushing ahead and trying to get there. One thing I’ve always said about champion players is you never say no. You never write them off,” Ponting said.
Ponting particularly praised Kohli’s consistency and competitive hunger during IPL 2026, where the RCB superstar has once again been among the best batters in the tournament.
“Virat’s been a good example of that again through this IPL. He’s not playing as much international cricket as he once was, but that determination and want to win is still there,” Ponting added.
The former Australia skipper also highlighted Rohit Sharma’s improved physical condition during IPL 2026 despite the Mumbai Indians captain battling a hamstring injury earlier in the season.
“Rohit Sharma has turned up at this IPL in better physical condition than I’ve seen him probably in about 10 or 12 years,” Ponting added.
“So the passion is still there for those guys to push on and make themselves the best players they can be. So like I said, you never say never.”
TEAM INDIA 2027 ODI WORLD CUP PREP BEGINS
Ponting’s comments come at a time when India’s selectors themselves appear keen on keeping both veterans involved as the ODI setup gradually begins preparing for the 2027 World Cup cycle.
India had internally discussed potentially resting Rohit and Kohli for the Afghanistan ODI series following IPL 2026. However, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee eventually decided regular match time was now more important for the two veterans given they only play one international format.
The selectors also reportedly felt that the younger players inside India’s transitioning ODI setup would benefit from spending more time around the two senior figures during the series.
Virat Kohli’s place currently looks significantly more stable because of the extraordinary consistency he continues to show.
The RCB batter has scored 542 runs in 13 IPL 2026 matches at an average above 54 and a strike rate crossing 164, including another century against Kolkata Knight Riders. Kohli also recently became the fastest batter in history to reach 14,000 T20 runs.
Rohit Sharma’s situation, however, remains slightly more complicated because of the growing fitness concerns around him.
Although Rohit has scored 283 runs in eight IPL 2026 innings with two half-centuries at a strike rate above 160, the veteran opener continues managing a troublesome hamstring injury. The injury forced him to miss four Mumbai Indians matches earlier in the season, and even after returning, he has largely featured only as an Impact Player.
WILL VIRAT KOHLI, ROHIT SHARMA PLAY 2027 ODI WORLD CUP?
Right now, nobody inside Indian cricket appears willing to completely rule either player out.
The BCCI and selectors have reportedly made it clear internally that selection for the 2027 ODI World Cup will depend entirely on form, fitness and consistency closer to the tournament rather than reputation alone.
And while Kohli’s batting levels still look elite enough for another World Cup campaign, Rohit’s challenge may ultimately become more physical than technical.
The former India captain’s ODI numbers remain extremely strong. Across his last 10 ODI innings, Rohit has scored four fifties and one century. The bigger question is whether his body can continue coping with the physical demands of another two-year international cycle.
A BCCI source recently admitted it remains far too early to take any definitive call on either player’s future.
“It is too early say that they would play in the World Cup. It is still a long way off,” the source said.
For now though, both Kohli and Rohit clearly still seem determined to keep pushing forward.
And as Ponting pointed out, writing off champions has rarely ended well in cricket.
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