Irfan Pathan has argued that India should keep Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in their plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup, saying their experience would be a major asset.
The debate
Rohit and Kohli are widely seen as two of the finest white-ball players ever, yet their long-term ODI future keeps being discussed. With the 2027 World Cup due to be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, speculation about their roles has grown.
Pathan on Rohit
Pathan said Rohit’s skill against pace and short-pitched bowling makes him especially useful in South African conditions. He pointed to Rohit’s comfort with bounce and his strength in the pull and cut. In Pathan’s words, there are few players better placed than Rohit to take advantage of bounce.
Pathan on Kohli
On Kohli, Pathan highlighted unmatched experience and the best chasing ability in ODIs. He stressed that Kohli at number three is crucial, especially under pressure or after early wickets, and said that quality is needed in South Africa.
Kohli’s fitness and form
Kohli may reportedly miss the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan with a hamstring injury suffered during IPL 2026 while playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He still had a strong tournament, scoring 675 runs at a strike rate of 165.85 and helping RCB win back-to-back titles.
