Online Sports Desk
Former England cricketer Monty Panesar has said that ace India batter Virat Kohli plays with tremendous intensity, pays great attention to his fitness and motivates everyone around him, adding that he won’t retire from international cricket soon after the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Panesar believes Kohli’s mindset and passion for the game suggest he still has plenty to offer, despite the batter confirming that the 2027 ODI World Cup will be his last.
At 37, Kohli’s decision has fuelled speculation that his retirement from the format could be approaching.
“Virat Kohli is still very hungry. He plays with tremendous intensity, pays great attention to his fitness and motivates everyone around him. I also get motivated to go to the gym when I see Virat training,” Panesar said while speaking to ANI.
“He was saying that this could be his last World Cup, but perhaps that’s part of his mindset. When you think you have only 10-15 games left, you approach every game with full intensity, treating each one like an event,” Panesar added.
The former England cricketer backed former India skipper Rohit Sharma to make the ODI World Cup team as well, describing him as a ‘great player’.
“Rohit Sharma is also a great player. When he gets going, he can be absolutely destructive with the bat. He is an attacking batter, hits the ball a long way and plays with a clear mindset,” Panesar said.
“He can make a real difference for India and I believe the team needs a player of Rohit’s quality. He deserves to be given the chance to earn his place in the World Cup squad,” Panesar added.
Rohit and Kohli featured in the three-match ODI series against the West Indies earlier this month and are now preparing for the upcoming games leading up to the 2027 World Cup.
The duo will next be seen in action on November 4 in the first ODI against New Zealand.
