Incoming India coach Gautam Gambhir believes experienced duo Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli still have plenty of international cricket left in them and has not ruled out the pair continuing on all the way through to the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in 2027.
Rohit and Kohli retired from T20I cricket following India's successful ICC Men's T20 World Cup campaign last month and will have to wait more than two years until the next 50-over World Cup scheduled to take place in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe three years from now.
But Gambhir wants the pair of India greats to play a major role in India's ICC Champions Trophy campaign next year, and thinks they can continue playing at the top level should their fitness levels continue to remain high.
"I think they have shown what they can deliver on the big stage, whether it's the T20 World Cup or the 50-over World Cup as well," Gambhir told reporters on Monday.
"One thing I can be very clear of is that both those guys have a lot of cricket left in them. More importantly, with the (2025) Champions Trophy and a big tour of Australia (at the end of 2024),"he said.
"Obviously they would be motivated enough. And then, hopefully, if they can keep their fitness, the 2027 (ODI) World Cup as well," Gambhir said.
Rohit and Kohli displayed their prowess in 50-over cricket when finishing as the two leading run-scorers at last year's World Cup and Rohit in particular continued that good form when finishing the recent T20 World Cup with 257 runs to finish only behind Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the run-scorer charts, an ICC report said.
Gambhir is well aware of how much Rohit and Kohli have done for Indian cricket in recent times and knows any decision on their future will ultimately come down to the individual.
"This is a very personal decision. I can't say how much cricket is left in them. Ultimately, it's up to them as well, it's up to the players. How much can they contribute to the team's success. Because, ultimately, it's the team that is important," he said.
"But looking at what Virat and Rohit can deliver, I think they still have a lot of cricket (remaining). They're still world-class players and obviously any team would want to have both of them for as long as possible," Gambhir added.(UNI)
