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STUMP VISION OCTOBER 24, 2025 | The Indian Eye 42

Kohli, Rohit Eye 2027 World Cup as India’s

Old Guard Returns for Australia ODIs

With Dinesh Karthik confirming Kohli’s renewed hunger and Travis Head hailing the

Indian duo as white-ball greats, India’s veterans prepare for another chapter Down Under.

OUR BUREAU
Perth

s India begins its limited-overs campaign in
Australia this weekend, all eyes are on two
Aof the modern greats of world cricket — Vi-
rat Kohli and Rohit Sharma — both making their
return to international action since lifting the ICC
Champions Trophy earlier this year. Amid specu-
lation about their future, recent comments from
players, selectors, and even opponents suggest that
India’s senior-most batting pair is not done yet. In
fact, both seem intent on taking another shot at the
ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2027.
Adding to the excitement surrounding India’s
first ODI in Perth on Sunday, former India wicket-
keeper and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
mentor Dinesh Karthik revealed that Kohli has
already set his sights on the 2027 World Cup. In
a video shared on social media, Karthik said the
36-year-old star had resumed intense training
during his recent break in London.
“He is keen to play the World Cup 2027. In
London, he was training during this big lay-off
that he has had after a long time in his life. He was
practising cricket, 2–3 sessions a week. He is seri-
ous about wanting to play the World Cup 2027,”
Karthik said.
Kohli’s determination, Karthik noted, comes
from his desire to stay match-fit and mentally
sharp even during breaks. His numbers back that
hunger. The former captain remains India’s sec-
ond-highest run-getter in ODIs with 14,181 runs Virat Kohli (ANI file photo)
in 302 matches at an average of 57.88, including 51
centuries — the most by any player in the format.
Earlier this year, Kohli was instrumental in India’s “Having played a lot against him in the IPL matches at an average of 64.11, with four centuries
Champions Trophy triumph, scoring 218 runs in and international cricket, I have huge regard for and nine half-centuries.
five matches, including a century against Pakistan what Rohit has been able to do. It’s nice watching Just days before returning to the field, Kohli
and a vital 84 in the semifinal against Australia. from afar — why not watch the best and learn from dropped a cryptic message on social media — “The
Australia’s top-order batter Travis Head also the best?” he added. only time you truly fail, is when you decide to give
weighed in on the Indian duo’s longevity and im- India’s all-rounder Axar Patel echoed the op- up” — sparking fresh speculation about his long-
pact. Ahead of the Perth ODI, he hailed both timism within the camp, saying both Rohit and Vi- term plans. However, chief selector Ajit Agarkar
Kohli and Rohit as two of the best white-ball play- rat are “ready to go” after completing their fitness swiftly put retirement rumors to rest during the
ers in history and said he would not be surprised if tests and intensive training sessions. squad announcement for the Australian tour.
they aim to play through the next World Cup cycle. “They are world-class players. They know “Not as far as I know,” Agarkar said when
“They have been awesome for India. Two what to do, and they are ready. They’ve been pre- asked if Kohli or Rohit were considering retire-
quality players, two of the best white-ball play- paring well; everyone has given their fitness test, ment. “They’ve both done their fitness tests. We’ve
ers. Virat is probably the greatest white-ball and they are raring to go now,” Axar said. picked them with the 2027 World Cup in mind.
player; Rohit is not that far behind,” Head said. Since India’s last bilateral series against Aus- Obviously, with the captaincy change, that’s gen-
“I am sure they will be missed at some stage, but I tralia before the 2023 ODI World Cup, both Rohit erally the thought.”
think they both are going until 2027. It’s great for and Kohli have maintained remarkable consis- Agarkar’s comments confirmed what insiders
the game that they are still playing.” tency. Rohit has scored 1,137 runs in 23 ODIs at have long hinted — the selectors view the senior
Head, who opens the batting for Australia, an average of 49.43 and a stunning strike rate of pair as integral to India’s next ODI cycle, even as
said he looks up to Rohit’s fearless approach at 123.45, including two centuries and seven fifties. younger leaders like Shubman Gill begin to take
the top. Kohli, meanwhile, has piled up 1,154 runs in 22 over in select formats.

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