Former Indian player turned commentator Irfan Pathan believes Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s chances of playing in the 2027 ODI World Cup would depend on them playing regularly and staying fit. They recently retired from Tests ahead of the England tour and retired from the T20I format after the World Cup last year as well.

Talking about them and their chances of making it to the mega event in 2027, Pathan said on Revsportz: “Talking about these professional cricketers, whose only focus is to play cricket for now, the biggest challenge for them would be playing regularly and staying fit. Virat is going to play IPL only, and then whenever there is first-class cricket, but just to play and not to prove anything. So, continuing the game time will not be an easy task. T20 has taken over and one-dayers have taken a backseat, so number of matches has gotten changed in both.”

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“World Cup 2027 won’t be a challenge if continuity of the game time is handled. Unfortunately, there will be pressure on them. I’ve spoken to Rohit Sharma and he’s very keen about fitness. Then Virat, I am sure is very keen as well with the way he has been seen practising in England. I have also seen a statement from Mohammed Shami which says that he’s very very keen too,” he shared.

Irfan Pathan also advised the Team India management to keep the communication on with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma about their 2027 ODI World Cup plans as well.

“I hope that the communication has been very clear. Knowing Gautam (Gambhir) and Ajit (Agarkar), I think they will make it very clear in terms of communication. Having game time regularly will keep away all sorts of challenges. If you’re talking about 2027, that challenge will be there because they’re not playing for India currently. After, say, three games against Australia and IPL, if there is a big gap, then the continuity breaks,” Irfan Pathan concluded.