Virat Kohli scored a crucial half-century in the third and final ODI against Australia at SCG.
After bagging back-to-back ducks in the first two ODIs against Australia, Indian stalwart Virat Kohli scored a crucial half-century in the third and final match at SCG on Saturday (October 25).
Chasing 237 to win, the visitors lost skipper Shubman Gill for 24, which led to Kohli’s arrival at the crease. India’s No. 3 played an unbeaten knock of 74 (81 balls) and forged an unbroken partnership of 168 runs with Rohit Sharma (121* off 125 balls) to take the tourists home with nine wickets and 69 deliveries to spare.
After the game, former Australian opener David Warner weighed in on the possibility of Kohli continuing to play ODI cricket leading up to the 2027 World Cup in South Africa.
"I think that's a good question for Virat. If you have still got the hunger and the desire to keep playing, and he wants to play in 2027, and his mindset is there, there's no reason why he can't. He's one of the fittest guys in the game along with being a great father and a husband. So for me, I've got no doubts he can make that. It's whether or not he still has that passion to get up for training and for doing all the stuff that you have to get there. And I would never doubt that at all with his mindset," Warner was quoted as saying by Fox Cricket.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir addressed the topic following India's Test series win over West Indies earlier this month, stressing the importance of focusing on the present rather than looking too far ahead.
"The 50-over World Cup is still two and a half years away. It is very important to stay in the present. Obviously, they are quality players. They are coming back. Their experience is going to be valuable in Australia. Hopefully, those two guys can have a successful tour, and more importantly, as a team, we can have a successful series," Gambhir said in a press conference.
BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar was non-committal on Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s participation in the 2027 World Cup when he announced the squad for the Australia series.
"I mean, that's the format they are at the moment playing (Virat and Rohit). We picked them, but as far as the 2027 World Cup is concerned. I don't think we need to talk about it today. Obviously, with the captaincy change, that's generally the thought," Agarkar had told reporters.