Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan feels the veteran duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will hold the key for India in the 2027 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Pathan highlighted that Rohit can make the most of the bouncy pitches in the South African conditions.
Rohit and Virat have been picked for the three ODIs against Afghanistan but their participation is doubtful due to hamstring injuries. Both the talismanic batters have shown their interest to play in the ODI showpiece next year.
“What ability does Rohit Sharma bring with him? He plays the short ball very well. Cut and pull are his strengths. He easily gets time against short deliveries. That’s what is going to happen in South Africa. You get swinging conditions with the new ball for sure, but you get bounce, and who can take advantage of bounce better than Rohit Sharma?” Irfan Pathan said on Star Sports.
Pathan added that Kohli’s experience of batting at one drop will be crucial in South African conditions.
“What does Virat bring with him? He brings his experience. No one chases better than him in ODIs. His numbers are incredible. If a wicket falls early, his experience at No. 3 will be useful there, to play cautiously and play a long inning as well. You need this ability in South Africa,” Pathan observed.
On the other hand, former Indian skipper Anil Kumble concurred with Pathan and said the veteran duo’s experience will be useful for India in the ODI World Cup.
“There are still a lot of matches before the World Cup. The World Cup is in South Africa, but I feel Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s experience will definitely be useful because we know the conditions will be different in South Africa,” he said.
The former leg-spinner reckons the conditions in South Africa will be seamer-friendly as the tournament will be played in the early part of the summer.
“Also, the World Cup is in the early part of the season. It means the wickets will be slightly fresh. So you need a little experience, and who can be more experienced players than Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma?” Kumble observed.
India would look to go all the way in the World Cup after they could not cross the last hurdle against Australia in 2023.
