Rohit and Virat key to India's World Cup hopes, says Irfan Pathan
Synopsis
Irfan Pathan has laid out a clear batting blueprint for India's World Cup campaign in South Africa — with Rohit Sharma's short-ball dominance and Virat Kohli's chase mastery at its core. With the Afghanistan ODI series beginning Saturday, Pathan's assessment doubles as an early selector's lens on who truly matters when the stakes are highest.
Key Takeaways
Irfan Pathan says Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are central to India's ODI World Cup chances in South Africa .
Pathan praised Rohit's ability to handle short-pitched bowling in bounce-friendly overseas conditions.
Kohli was described as the best chaser in the world and the ideal No.
3 to rebuild after early wickets.
KL Rahul is India's first-choice wicketkeeper-batter in ODIs, with Ishan Kishan as backup, according to Pathan.
Sanju Samson was identified as the third wicketkeeper option and a strong candidate for No.
India begin a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan at HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala on Saturday.
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has stressed the indispensable role of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in India's quest for the ODI World Cup in South Africa, speaking ahead of India's opening ODI against Afghanistan in Dharamshala on Saturday. The veteran cricketer argued that the experience and specific skill sets of the two stalwarts will be decisive in the demanding South African conditions.
Rohit's Short-Ball Mastery a Weapon in South Africa
Pathan singled out Rohit Sharma's technique against short-pitched bowling as a critical asset on South African pitches, where bowlers routinely extract both swing and extra bounce. 'Rohit Sharma's biggest strength is his ability to handle short-pitched bowling. He has exceptional timing and gets into position early. In South Africa, where bowlers get both swing and extra bounce, Rohit is the ideal batter to punish anything short,' Pathan said in an interview with Jio Hotstar.
Kohli the Anchor India Cannot Do Without
Pathan was equally emphatic about Virat Kohli's value at No. 3, pointing to his unmatched ODI record and his ability to steady the innings when early wickets fall. 'Coming to Virat Kohli, he brings immense experience to the middle order. In ODIs, no one does it better than him. Batting at number three, his records speak for themselves. If India lose an early wicket, he is the man to rebuild the innings,' Pathan said. He added: 'He loves batting long, and when it comes to chasing, he is the best in the world. India will need both these qualities of Rohit and Virat if they are to win the World Cup in South Africa.'
Wicketkeeping Pecking Order: Rahul First, Kishan Backup
Pathan backed KL Rahul as India's first-choice wicketkeeper-batter in the 50-over format, citing his versatility across the middle order. 'KL Rahul is India's first-choice wicketkeeper-batsman in ODIs. He has done well at numbers five and six. He is versatile,' he said. The former left-arm pacer also endorsed the selection of Ishan Kishan as a backup, noting his ability to bat higher in the order and play the short ball effectively square of the wicket. 'That is a smart selection,' Pathan remarked.
Sanju Samson in the Frame for No. 5
Pathan further identified Sanju Samson as a compelling option at No. 5, crediting his maturity and composure under pressure. 'Whenever he has got a chance, he has delivered. We saw that in the T20 World Cup. Sanju now plays with maturity and handles pressure well. He can be tried at number five,' he said. Samson's consistent performances at the international level, according to Pathan, make him the third wicketkeeper-batter in the selection pecking order.
India vs Afghanistan Series Kicks Off in Dharamshala
India are set to begin a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on Saturday, transitioning from their recent Test commitments. The series is widely seen as part of India's preparatory cycle for the upcoming ODI World Cup in South Africa. How the top order performs against Afghanistan's spin-heavy attack will offer early indicators of the squad's World Cup readiness.
Point of View
But it also signals a succession gap that the selectors have not yet credibly addressed. The Afghanistan series, on paper a low-stakes tune-up, is quietly a test of whether the middle order can function without leaning entirely on the two veterans. Pathan's endorsement of Samson at No. 5 is the most forward-looking element of his assessment — and the one mainstream coverage is most likely to overlook.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Irfan Pathan say about Rohit Sharma ahead of the ODI World Cup?
Irfan Pathan said Rohit Sharma's biggest strength is his ability to handle short-pitched bowling, making him the ideal batter to exploit anything short in South Africa's bounce-friendly conditions. He described Rohit as a key figure in India's World Cup campaign.
Why does Irfan Pathan consider Virat Kohli crucial for India's World Cup chances?
Pathan highlighted Kohli's unmatched ODI record at No. 3 and his ability to rebuild innings after early wickets, as well as his status as the best chaser in the world. He said India will need both Rohit's and Kohli's qualities to win the World Cup in South Africa.
Who is India's first-choice wicketkeeper in ODIs according to Irfan Pathan?
Pathan named KL Rahul as India's first-choice wicketkeeper-batter in ODIs, praising his versatility at Nos. 5 and 6. He added that Ishan Kishan is a smart backup selection due to his ability to bat higher and play the short ball well.
Where and when does India's ODI series against Afghanistan begin?
India's three-match ODI series against Afghanistan begins on Saturday at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala. The series is part of India's build-up to the ODI World Cup in South Africa.
What role does Irfan Pathan see for Sanju Samson in India's ODI setup?
Pathan identified Sanju Samson as the third wicketkeeper-batter option and suggested he could be tried at No. 5. He cited Samson's consistent performances, including at the T20 World Cup, as evidence of his maturity and ability to handle pressure.
