Former Indian cricketer Maninder Singh has weighed in on the future of ODI stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, acknowledging that concerns about their form and reflexes exist with the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup still some time away, but insisting that both are 'champions players' with immense mental strength and match-winning ability.
ODI series against England brings focus back on 'Ro-Ko' pair
The upcoming three-match ODI leg of India's England tour, starting July 14, will once again showcase the festive atmosphere that Rohit and Virat bring to the format as ODI-exclusive players with limited international cricket left. Since India's ICC Champions Trophy triumph in 2025, every appearance by the duo has been scrutinised as they approach the 2027 World Cup in October-November next year, when they will be aged 40 and 38 respectively. Despite ongoing rumours and speculation, the iconic pair continue to display relentless discipline and hunger through consistent runs and high fitness levels.
Injury concerns and form dips
Rohit's hamstring struggles during the Indian Premier League (IPL) and a brief dip in ODI form have raised questions, with opener Yashasvi Jaiswal waiting in the wings. Virat, who appears in better form and secured his second consecutive IPL title with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), also faced scrutiny after sustaining a hamstring injury in the IPL final, which caused him to miss the home ODIs against Afghanistan in June. He has been included in the England ODI squad, though his place in the playing XI is subject to fitness clearance. Virat is reportedly on track for a prominent role after undergoing a fitness test at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Maninder's assessment: Virat's fitness stands out
Speaking to ANI, Maninder said he is not overly worried about Virat due to his exceptional fitness and intensity during practice sessions, but expressed some concern about Rohit's fluctuating performances. 'As far as Virat Kohli is concerned, his fitness level is very high. And Rohit is also working in that direction. But somewhere I feel there's still time for the World Cup, and as you said, we wonder if they will be able to catch form by then, maintain form until then, this is a matter of worry, no doubt about it. Because as your age increases, your reflexes start slowing down. I am not so worried about Virat Kohli because he works so much on his fitness, he is so passionate about the game, his practice sessions... I've seen him doing them, he plays in practice sessions as if he is playing a match,' Maninder said.
Champion mentality key to success
'There is a bit of worry sometimes for Rohit because his performance goes up and down. So if you think about these two players, worries will be there because there is time for the World Cup. But they are champions, and you only become a champion when you are mentally strong, and mental strength is very important in international cricket. Let's see how they perform in the coming time. But let us hope they perform well because they are both such players who are match-winners, impact players; when they get going, they win matches for their team,' he signed off.
Virat's recent form and statistics
Virat was seen struggling while running during the final stages of the IPL final against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad, but he guided RCB to a tricky 156-run chase with a 42-ball 75* last May. He finished the IPL as the fourth-highest run-getter and RCB's top scorer with 675 runs in 16 innings at an average of 56.25 and a strike rate of 165.84, including a century and five fifties, with a best score of 105*. The 37-year-old is one of the greatest ODI batters ever, ranking second in all-time run-getters in the format with 14,797 runs in 299 innings at an average of 58.71, with 54 centuries (most by any batter) and 77 fifties, and a best score of 183. Since retiring from T20Is after the 2024 T20 World Cup and from Tests in May last year, Virat has scored 891 runs in 16 ODIs at an average of 68.53 and a strike rate of 98.45, with four centuries and five fifties in 16 innings, and a best of 135. He played a crucial role in India's Champions Trophy win last year. Since the Australia tour last year, which marked his transition to an ODI-exclusive batter, he has amassed 616 runs in nine matches at an average of 88 and a strike rate of 106.39, with three centuries and three fifties. In his most recent ODI outing earlier this year against New Zealand, he was India's top scorer with 240 runs in three matches at an average of 80.00, including a century and a fifty.
Rohit's recent numbers and injury setbacks
In nine IPL matches this year, Rohit scored 283 runs at an average of 35.37 and a strike rate of 1576.22, including two fifties and a best of 84. He missed a chunk of action due to a hamstring injury. His ODI form has been shaky this year, with 204 runs in six ODIs at an average of 34.00, including a half-century and best of 79, at a strike rate of 100. The series against Afghanistan saw him score 16, 48 and 79. Rohit is India's third-highest ODI run-getter with 11,720 runs in 285 matches and 277 innings at an average of 48.83 and a strike rate of 92.97, including 33 centuries and 62 fifties, with a best of 264. Since last year, he has scored 854 runs in 20 innings at an average of 44.94 and a strike rate of 100.35, with two centuries and five fifties, including a best of 121* and a match-winning 76 in the ICC Champions Trophy final.
