New Delhi, Nov 22 (NationPress) Former South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes expressed his support for veteran batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to remain active until the 2027 ODI World Cup. He emphasized that both players possess an 'abundance' of experience and mental resilience, which will be essential for their contributions in this prestigious tournament.

Earlier this year, both Kohli and Sharma announced their retirements from Test cricket and are now focused solely on the ODI format. Recent changes saw Rohit step down from the ODI captaincy, passing the baton to Shubman Gill.

As fans and former players speculate on their future in ODIs, some believe that Kohli and Sharma may not participate until the next World Cup. However, Rhodes feels they should continue to play and accumulate runs for the national team, stating that their experience will be invaluable for India in the World Cup.

Rhodes mentioned, 'People often ask when players like Tendulkar and Dhoni should retire. It's a personal decision based on their performance. If they keep scoring runs, they deserve to be selected. Their experience is crucial.'

He noted that crucial tournaments like the World Cup depend not only on talent but also on the mental fortitude of players. 'Kohli and Rohit certainly have that in abundance,' he added.

In last month’s ODI series against Australia, Rohit scored a century in the final match, leading India to a nine-wicket victory. He also made a noteworthy 73 in the second game, earning the title of Player of the Series.

Kohli, who faced challenges in the first two ODIs with consecutive ducks, made a strong comeback by scoring an unbeaten 74 in the series finale.

Fans can look forward to seeing the duo in action again during the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa, starting on November 30.