Former India player turned commentator Irfan Pathan has said that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s presence has given new energy or strength to the interest in ODIs. He also questioned why India can’t arrange a five-match ODI series or a triangular or quadrangular series for them to be seen in action more often as well.
On the Star Sports show ‘Follow the Blues,’ Pathan said, “That’s why I am repeatedly saying one thing. Why can’t we have five ODIs instead of three? Why can’t we have a triangular or quadrangular series? Why can’t we arrange that, because these two greats play only one format? It won’t be wrong to say that if a lot of interest has returned to ODI cricket, these two have brought it.”
“The biggest thing is that they are also performing. The World Cup is far away. You will definitely want to think about it, but I am also thinking that the more we get to see them, that these two players should keep playing, keep representing India, and when they are not playing for India, they should keep playing domestic cricket because the more they play, the better it is,” Pathan added again.
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However, former India pacer Varun Aaron also added that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma should be seen
playing ODIs more often as well.
“Given that the previous series was box office, where both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were seen in form, since Australia, especially Rohit Sharma, India will be looking to have way more series than we are having because of the crowds they are pulling and the viewership they are bringing in. These two guys are box office,” he said.
“So at the end of the day, you want Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to play as much as possible. A lot of people are sad that they are not playing Tests and T20Is, but the way they are playing in the ODIs, Rohit Sharma has reinvented himself fitness-wise, and Virat Kohli has just taken it up a few notches ever since that last ODI in Australia. It just shows that age is a number and it’s mind over matter for them,” Varun Aaron concluded.
