Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting feels Indian legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli can still play in the ODI World Cup in South Africa in October-November 2027. Having retired from Tests last year, they are both one-format players now. Meanwhile, Ponting, who led Australia to two ODI World Cup titles in 2003 and 2007, said one can never write off champions like Kohli and Rohit as well.

“I can see them pushing ahead and trying to get there. One thing I’ve always said about champion players is you never say no. You never write them off,” Ponting, the head coach of Punjab Kings in the IPL, told PTI.

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“Virat’s been a good example of that again through this IPL. He’s not playing as much international cricket as he once was, but that determination and want to win is still there. Rohit Sharma has turned up at this IPL in better physical condition than I’ve seen him probably in about 10 or 12 years. So the passion is still there for those guys to push on and make themselves the best players they can be. So like I said, you never say never,” he again added.

With 542 runs in 13 matches, including a hundred, Kohli is among the leading run-getters in the tournament as well. Since his comeback from a hamstring injury, Rohit Sharma has been featuring in the Mumbai Indians side as an impact player. In eight matches, he has scored 283 runs, including two half-centuries as well. Both Kohli and Rohit have been batting at a strike rate of 160 plus as well.

Meanwhile, the Indian team selectors will take a call on their selection for the ODI World Cup, considering their fitness and form as well.

“It is too early say that they would play in the World Cup. It is still a long way off,” said a BCCI source. PTI.