Will Rohit and Kohli Shine Again at the 2027 WC?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Shastri and Ponting believe in Rohit and Kohli's potential return to form.
- Experience and passion are crucial for athletes at their age.
- Short-term goals can help maintain motivation.
- Adelaide offers favorable batting conditions for a comeback.
- Champion players should never be written off.
New Delhi, Oct 21 (NationPress) Indian cricket icon Ravi Shastri and Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting have expressed their views on the potential of Indian batting titans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli participating in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in 2027, stating that "only time will tell" if the duo will still be part of the cricketing landscape.
Rohit and Kohli, who have stepped back from Test and T20I formats in the past 18 months, are currently focused solely on 50-over cricket. The experienced pair made their return to international play since the ICC Champions Trophy earlier in March, where they delivered modest performances against Australia in Perth.
Shastri remarked on The ICC Review, "Returning from a lengthy break can lead to some rustiness. It's challenging for any visiting team to arrive in Australia just two days before a match in Perth and quickly adapt to the conditions, particularly with the extra bounce and facing top-tier fast bowlers."
"Time will reveal more. They have a match in Adelaide coming up and some time to practice. It’s essential to assess their enjoyment of the game and their passion for it, especially at their age. If they still find joy in the sport, there's no rush to judge their capabilities. They possess the talent and experience to recover, given a little time."
Ponting echoed Shastri's perspective, highlighting that Kohli, in particular, should focus on short-term objectives during the Australian tour to gauge his ongoing commitment to the sport.
"I dislike hearing players claim they’ve accomplished everything because everyone should set short-term goals. Virat is highly motivated, and I believe he has established personal targets for this series, rather than merely waiting for the 2027 World Cup," Ponting noted.
Both legends acknowledge that at their peak, Rohit and Kohli are undoubtedly among the best players for India, but the real question remains: can they rediscover their form by the time the World Cup arrives?
Ponting anticipates that both Rohit and Kohli will find their footing soon, especially with favorable batting conditions expected in Adelaide.
"The key is finding their rhythm after a break. It can take time to adjust to the tempo of the 50-over format, but I expect them to return to form quickly. Adelaide offers excellent batting conditions, yet they will be challenged by some of the finest white-ball bowlers in history," he stated.
"It's crucial never to underestimate champion players. Both Rohit and Kohli are among the best, and I firmly believe that Virat is the greatest 50-over player I've ever witnessed. They'll discover ways to contribute to their team's success, potentially securing their places in the 2027 World Cup team," he concluded.