Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who is currently the head coach of Punjab Kings (PBKS), has shared his views on whether India veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will play in the 2027 World Cup or not.
The former India captains are one-format players, now having retired from Test cricket last year and from T20Is in 2024. The IPL accounts for the majority of their playing time outside of 50-over cricket. Despite being hindered by a hamstring ailment, Rohit has also performed well in the IPL, while Kohli has redefined his consistency standards.
One can never write out champions like Kohli and Rohit, according to Ponting, who led Australia to two ODI World Cup victories in 2003 and 2007.
"I can see them pushing ahead and trying to get there. One thing I've always said about champion players is you never say no. You never write them off," Ponting, the head coach of Punjab Kings in the IPL, told PTI.
"Virat's been a good example of that again through this IPL. He's not playing as much international cricket as he once was, but that determination and want to win are still there. Rohit Sharma has turned up at this IPL in better physical condition than I've seen him probably in about 10 or 12 years. So, the passion is still there for those guys to push on and make themselves the best players they can be. So, like I said, you never say never," added the Australian icon.
Kohli has smashed 542 runs in 13 games in IPL 2026, including one century. On the other hand, Rohit Sharma has 283 runs, including two half-centuries.
Kohli and Rohit were picked in India's team on Tuesday for the three-match series against Afghanistan that starts on June 14. Due to a hamstring problem, Rohit was added to the team, subject to fitness.
