'No dependable players...': Suresh Raina explains why Team India needs Rohit Sharma-Virat Kohli for 2027 ODI WC

Suresh Raina explains why Team India needs Rohit Sharma-Virat Kohli for 2027 ODI WC (BCCI Photo)

The international prospects of India's mainstays, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, remains uncertain after retiring from the Test format in May this year. In the recently concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, India's Test transition proceeded well on the batting front without the premier batters, as new skipper Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and Rishabh Pant produced their greatest aggregates to date in a red-ball series.

The next ODI World Cup is still at least two years away and it is unclear if Rohit and Kohli can make it that far. If the management, led by Gautam Gambhir, and the BCCI continue to support the two, they will be 40 and 39 years old, respectively, when they compete in the World Cup. Amidst this reports have emerged of the duo's days being numbered in the 50-over format as well.

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However, according to former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina, both the white-ball cricket titans have a lot more to contribute, and Gill and Team India will benefit greatly from their ODI knowledge before the World Cup.

“India don’t have dependable players at No. 1 and No. 3 (in ODIs) at the moment, especially when chasing,” Raina told in an interview with Telecom Asia Sport. “Rohit and Virat’s experience is very important. It’s crucial for the seniors to stay involved with the juniors. Shubman (Gill) has done really well, but he needs players like Virat and Rohit,” the 2011 World Cup winner added.

Five months ago, Rohit and Kohli's remarkable performances in the Champions Trophy in Dubai erased the memories of a disappointing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Kohli set up the semi-final victory over Australia with his 84-run innings and struck the game-winning century against Pakistan, while Rohit was declared the Player of the Match and top-scored in a triumphant final over New Zealand.

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“They have won the Champions Trophy, they have won the World Cup. Virat won the last IPL also. For the astute leadership they have shown during their respective careers, they need to be part of the dressing room,” noted Raina while justifying his point further.

Rohit and Kohli are likely to return to action in October when the Men in Blue tour Australia for three ODIs and T20Is. The one-day leg of the series will kick off in Perth on October 19, with matches to follow in Adelaide and Sydney.