Kohli and Rohit will be back in action during the three-ODI series against West Indies.
The 70-year-old former dashing batter said that their inclusion and the Indian team’s plans depend on whether they want to continue playing, their fitness, and how the selectors plan for the ICC event.
In addition to this, Patil highlighted the necessity for the selectors to plan and make provision for able replacements of the senior players once they retire from the game. In this regard, he made it clear that the depth in India’s bench will take care of the issue.
“It is up to these two players. Will they want to continue playing? Will they be able to maintain their fitness? What is the selectors’ strategy? Are the selectors looking ahead? Along with the current players, we always have to consider whether we have someone strong enough to replace them if the time comes for them to be left out of the team. And considering the Indian team’s bench strength, which I just spoke about, I don’t think there will be any problems, whether Virat or Rohit are in the team or not,” Patil said on SportsNext.
He called Rohit and Kohli legends and stated that words would fall short of describing their contributions.
He said, "These two players have been around for many years and will be regarded as legends. Rohit Sharma has been a remarkable player in white-ball cricket. As far as Virat is concerned, the more I say about him, the less it will be.”
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be in action for India when they face West Indies in a three-ODI series starting Sunday, September 27.
Furthermore, Sandeep Patil talked about the Indian team’s pace resources and said that the India pace unit will thrive even after Jasprit Bumrah departs from the game, as they have three or four bowlers capable of clocking around 140 kmph.
“We have three or four bowlers who can bowl at speeds of around 140 kmph, and they are doing well. It’s not as though Indian bowling will come to a complete standstill once Jasprit Bumrah is gone. Someone or the other will come through. Just two days ago, I was at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru with VVS Laxman. Look at the facilities there. I would say the BCCI has done a remarkable job. With facilities like these, I am 100% confident that Indian cricket will continue to produce not just good bowlers but good batters,” Patil added.
The Indian team is currently in Japan for a one-off T20I and the Asian Games 2026.