Kolkata: It won’t be easy for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to remain fit and find a place in India’s ODI World Cup squad in 2027, former captain Sourav Ganguly says.
“All of us must understand, just like everyone, the game will go away from them and they will go away from the game,” Ganguly told PTI in a lengthy interview at his residence.
The next ODI World Cup is scheduled in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, and by the time the prestigious ICC event is played, Kohli will be 38 years old and Rohit will touch 40.
Both Kohli and Rohit have retired from the T20Is (after the 2024 T20 World Cup) and Tests (last month) around the same time. With either of them not playing domestic games even, it will be challenging for the Indian duo to keep up their fitness on level as international cricket demands when the ODI World Cup nears in 2027.
To add more to that, there will be limited ODIs for both Rohit and Virat to play in the next two years. The Indian team is scheduled to play 27 ODIs across nine bilateral series to prepare for the ODI World Cup in 2027, with an average of 15 international games for both annually.
“All of us must understand, just like everyone, the game will go away from them and they will go away from the game,” Ganguly, was quoted as saying to PTI. “It won’t be easy, with 15 games a year,” he added.
Despite retiring from two formats of the game, both Rohit and Virat have desired to play the ODI World Cup one last time. Although Virat lifted the ODI World Cup in 2011, Rohit led India to the 2023 final, but missed out on the silverware with a loss to Australia.
Asked if Ganguly has any advice for the Indian greats, the former BCCI president responded by saying, “I have got no advice. I think they know the game as much I do. They will take a call.”
Meanwhile, Ganguly, who will turn 53 this July, said he is not averse to coaching the Indian team. He was the Team Director of Delhi Capitals between 2018-19 and 2022-24.
“I never really thought about it because I got into different roles. I finished (competitive cricket) in 2013 and then became Board (BCCI) President,” said Ganguly.
When suggested that he could have contributed more by becoming India coach, Ganguly said: “We’ll see what the future holds. I’m just 50 (53), so let’s see what happens. I’m open to it. We’ll see where it goes,” the veteran cricketer said.
