Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli target 2027 World Cup as final ODI chapter

Rohit Sharma turns 40 soon. Virat Kohli isn’t far behind — 38 in a couple of months. Most cricketers this age would have hung up their boots and slipped behind a commentary mic. Rohit and Virat haven’t. They continue to turn up at the nets, working just as hard and matching the efforts of teammates half their age.

With their Tests and T20I careers well behind them, what remains now is the 50-over format, and they plan to keep playing ODIs with the 2027 World Cup as the final destination. The journey to next year’s showpiece tournament, jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, passes through Thiruvananthapuram when India face the West Indies at the Greenfield International Stadium on Sunday.

Kohli, the leading century-maker in ODIs with 54 tons, has asserted that next year’s World Cup would mark the end of his India career, and he is determined to pour everything he has into one final push for the title. “For me, it’s the last World Cup I’m going to play for India,” Kohli told JioStar. “The goal is absolutely to win the World Cup, and whatever it takes, I’m absolutely ready,” he said.

Two months ago, Rohit shut down talks about retirement with a masterful 138 in the third ODI against England at Lord’s. Watching Rohit and Virat, you don’t get the sense of two cricketers slowing down, but of two musicians refusing to fade away. Just like Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. Jagger possessed the theatre and swagger. Richards was riff and rhythm. They are the iconic Rolling Stones. Virat is the Jagger, with his intensity. Rohit is calm and languid. For two decades, they shared dressing rooms and faced several ups and downs. Yet, it is the contrast that makes their partnership compelling.

Like artists choosing their final canvas, Rohit and Virat have chosen ODIs, a format that is long enough to reward experience and demanding enough to test their fitness and stamina. By narrowing their focus to just one format, it makes every ODI between now and the 2027 World Cup a riveting watch. India are scheduled to play atleast 25 ODIs in this period.

India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel admitted the team is “fortunate” to have their experience. “It’s always great to have that experience back in the team, to guide Shubman (Gill) as well.” Rohit and Virat would also exchange knowledge with greenhorns Naman Dhir and Aquib Nabi. “If Virat and Rohit are leading the conversation, there’s a lot of experience in those conversations that can be great for the team,” Morkel said about the synergy. On Sunday, Thiruvananthapuram will be more than just another stop on the calendar. Expect showstoppers Rohit and Virat to put on a show.