Former India fast bowler Munaf Patel has strongly backed Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to remain central to India’s plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup, urging the team management not to phase out the two modern-day legends prematurely. With both veterans continuing to face questions over their future whenever India play an ODI series, Munaf believes the discussion is unnecessary. He insisted that Kohli and Rohit are still among India’s biggest match-winners and deserve the opportunity to end their ODI careers on their own terms rather than being forced out.
Speaking to sports journalist Vimal Kumar, Munaf said the selectors should avoid repeating mistakes made with some former Indian greats, who, according to him, did not receive the farewell they deserved.
“In the format they are still playing, you simply cannot drop them. Remember that. They are your biggest players and true legends. They are still performing and proving themselves. Don’t do to them what happened to others. Let them leave on their own terms and, hopefully, after winning another World Cup. They know when the time is right to move on,” Munaf Patel said.
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The former pacer also dismissed suggestions that India’s next generation is ready to replace the experienced duo. While acknowledging the emergence of several talented youngsters, he stressed that no current player possesses the consistency, experience and ability to handle pressure like Kohli and Rohit in 50-over cricket.
Munaf believes India will need both stalwarts if they are serious about hosting the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa.
“You cannot win the World Cup without them. If India want to become world champions again, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have to be part of the team. Just look at what they have achieved over the last decade. Virat has scored more than 50 ODI hundreds, while Rohit has over 30 centuries. Even today, bowlers are cautious when they see them at the crease. People keep saying they are finished, but talent never disappears,” he added.
The 2011 World Cup winner further argued that India has not yet found players capable of seamlessly replacing two of the greatest ODI batters in history. According to Munaf, the transition should happen naturally rather than be rushed by age or public opinion.
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Kohli and Rohit are expected to return to international action in the upcoming three-match ODI series against England, beginning on July 14 in Birmingham. The series will provide another opportunity for the veteran duo to reaffirm their importance ahead of the 2027 World Cup cycle.
Kohli has amassed 14,797 runs in 299 ODI innings at an outstanding average of 58.71, including 54 centuries and 77 fifties. Rohit, meanwhile, has scored 11,720 runs from 277 innings at an average of 48.83, with 33 hundreds and 62 half-centuries, underlining why Munaf believes they remain indispensable to India’s ODI ambitions.
