New Delhi, Jan 3 (NationPress) India is set to commence their 2026 journey with a home white-ball series against New Zealand, starting with a three-match ODI series that will mark the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the national colors. With an eye towards the 2027 ODI World Cup, former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has encouraged the senior players to stay actively engaged in domestic cricket during their break from international commitments.

During a discussion on JioStar, Pathan underlined the significance of continuous match practice for both Rohit and Kohli, especially as they focus solely on ODIs while India strategizes for the upcoming World Cup cycle.

“It is essential to think about the ICC 2027 ODI World Cup. Although it is still a while away, I genuinely want to see both Rohit and Kohli play for an extended period—representing India and participating in domestic cricket when they are not engaged in international matches. They are involved in just one format, so the more they play, the better it will be,” Pathan remarked.

Pathan also shared insights on the increasing responsibilities faced by Shubman Gill, who has taken on leadership roles in both Test and ODI formats, acknowledging the difficulties that come with captaining the national team at a youthful age.

“When I was selected for the first time at 19, the legendary Rahul Dravid told me, ‘Irfan, you may have reached this level, but it will only get tougher from here’. I asked him what to do when things become challenging, and he replied, ‘You will learn to manage it…’ The same will apply to Shubman Gill. A positive aspect of the England tour for him was the improvement in his Test average and his growing influence over the team. He now carries responsibilities in ODIs, presenting a significant opportunity for his growth.”

On the topic of comparisons between Gill and Kohli, Pathan acknowledged that such expectations are a natural result of exceptional talent and previous greatness, while expressing confidence in the young captain's ability to meet these challenges.

“He is incredibly talented, there’s no denying that, and comparisons are unavoidable. Virat Kohli faced constant comparisons to Sachin Tendulkar and was expected to perform at that level. Now that Kohli has reached those heights, Gill is being held to similar standards. There are expectations for him to amass close to 25,000–30,000 runs, and he undoubtedly has the capability to achieve that.”