Former South Africa cricketer Jonty Rhodes has said that having someone of Rohit Sharma's calibre and experience in the Indian squad will be an invaluable asset as the two-time champions build towards the 2027 ICC Men's ODI World Cup. Rhodes made the remarks in an interview with JioStar, offering a veteran's perspective on what separates good players from great ones when the pressure of a global tournament peaks.

Why Experience Counts at a World Cup

Rhodes, who appeared in four Cricket World Cups during his playing career without advancing beyond two semi-finals, argued that mental fortitude — not just form or talent — is the defining factor at the highest level. 'You've got to remember that having experience at a World Cup is another factor that we don't factor in. We look at the talent of the players, the ability that they've got and their performances,' he said.

'Maybe they've had a great knock and had a good season. But when it comes down to pressure moments, a World Cup is very much high pressure. Players can look after themselves physically, but that mental strength is something that we don't often factor in when it comes to selection,' Rhodes added. 'But as somebody who's played in four Cricket World Cups without getting past two semi-finals, I know how stressful it can become. So having someone like Rohit Sharma in your squad is such an asset at a World Cup.'

Rohit Sharma's ODI Record

The veteran right-handed opener has accumulated 11,895 runs across 288 ODIs, including 34 centuries and 62 fifties. Rohit was the leading run-scorer at the 2019 ODI World Cup and captained India to a runners-up finish in the 2023 edition, played on home soil. His record underscores precisely the kind of high-stakes pedigree Rhodes is referring to.

Rhodes on Virat Kohli's Winning Hunger

Rhodes also reserved high praise for Virat Kohli, drawing a striking comparison between the batting icon's competitive intensity and the relentless winning culture of dominant Australian sides of the past. 'We have watched Australia win so many World Cups and seen their aggression and the expectation to win almost. And I think that's what Virat has been. He has had this absolute hunger to win games for his team,' said Rhodes.

Kohli, another lynchpin of India's 50-over batting order, has scored 14,941 runs in 314 ODIs, including 54 hundreds and 79 half-centuries. Rhodes highlighted Kohli's record as one of the world's best chasers as evidence of his unmatched competitive drive. 'When you're the leader and the captain of a setup, and you can consistently be the best chaser in the world, it just shows how determined you are to be the guy that gets the team over the line,' he said.

'He just has such a huge drive to win games for India, and whether he's captain or not, he'll still have that drive. He just wants India to win,' Rhodes added.

Rhodes's Current Role

Rhodes is presently serving as co-owner of the Rotterdam Dockers in the ongoing European T20 Premier League (ETPL), keeping him closely connected to the global cricket ecosystem even after his playing days. His comments carry the weight of someone who has lived through the crucible of World Cup cricket and understands its unique psychological demands.

With the 2027 ICC Men's ODI World Cup on the horizon, India's selection think-tank will likely weigh Rhodes's broader point carefully — that numbers alone do not capture what seasoned campaigners bring to a dressing room when the stakes are at their highest.