Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have shown their intentions to play the 2027 ICC World Cup.
Ex-South Africa captain AB de Villiers has shared his views on legendary India opener Rohit Sharma after their ODI series against England. The Men in Blue lost the three-match series 1-2. Rohit Sharma had struggled in the first two ODIs for India but came good in the series decider.
Chasing a 388-run target at Lord’s in the third and final ODI against England, Rohit Sharma, who had scored 11 and 26 in the previous two games, led the charge with 138 in 110 balls with 5 sixes and 17 fours. He got help from Shubman Gill (77) and Virat Kohli (74), but their dismissals ended India’s fight as they finished on 360/7 and lost the game by 27 runs and the series 1-2.
AB de Villiers reckoned that Rohit Sharma was the man for the big moments despite lacking consistency.
"Rohit has never been the most consistent player for a long period of time, a little bit up and down, but when the big moments present themselves, he needs to be on your side. I would just manage him really well and make sure he stays match-fit more than anything else and get him ready for that World Cup," he said in a video on his YouTube channel.
He also discussed the value of veteran players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. When it comes to a major competition like the World Cup, he said, India will need both their experience and their capacity for handling pressure.
"The two of them (Rohit and Virat)—the proof is in the pudding, winning ICC trophies, being there in that World Cup final against Australia—there are a lot of reasons to be confident. You need that experience in big tournaments. You just can't buy that at a supermarket; what Virat and Rohit bring to the party. In pressure moments, it changes everything. There's a whole different pressure playing in World Cups and big tournaments,” he added.
Virat Kohli made back-to-back half-centuries in the second and third ODIs and showed great form.
AB de Villiers emphasized once more how important it was for the squad to have veterans like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
He praised Rohit in particular for his comeback after dealing with the heat and all the outside commotion. He believed that the 39-year-old ought to be included on India's World Cup team in 2027.
"India never really got going, but you could see the difference Virat and Rohit make in the team and the kind of belief they bring back into the side. About Rohit, you can just clearly see the confidence and impact that he has with the players around him, scoring a magnificent hundred in the final game. A lot of the media people are getting on his case. But he is still in decent form, especially in big matches. He leaves the best for the big games. And that's why I would have absolutely no doubt in making him part of my 2027 World Cup plans," he said.
Both Rohit and Kohli are next expected to be in action when India hosts West Indies at home in September.