Afghanistan's star wicketkeeper-batter, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, has made a candid admission, stating that his team's prospects would significantly improve against India in the upcoming 2027 ODI World Cup if the legendary batting duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are not part of the Indian squad. The 50-over World Cup in 2027 is scheduled to be hosted by South Africa.
Gurbaz's Frank Admission on Indian Legends
During an interview with Sports Tak, Gurbaz expressed that while every competing team would breathe a sigh of relief without the two modern greats in the Indian lineup, he acknowledged the unlikelihood of such a scenario. "As an Afghanistan player, I will be happy if they are not in the (Indian) team. Because if they are not in the team, we will have more chance to win. They are legends," Gurbaz stated.
He further elaborated on their immense stature, saying, "There is no chance for someone to come and say that Virat shouldn't be in the team and Rohit shouldn't be in the team. If they're not in the team, every team will be happy. So they are such big names and they are very good players." This comment underscores the respect and fear the duo commands globally.
The Formidable Legacy of Rohit and Kohli
The context of Gurbaz's remarks comes when both Indian stalwarts are still active and dominant in the ODI format, despite having retired from T20Is and Tests. Their current form was on full display in the ongoing ODI series against South Africa. In the first match in Ranchi, Rohit Sharma scored a crucial half-century, while Virat Kohli hammered his 52nd ODI century, a record-breaking feat, to guide India to a 17-run victory and a 1-0 series lead.
Kohli holds the record for the most centuries in ODI cricket history, while Rohit Sharma is the format's leading six-hitter. Both are set to feature in the second ODI against South Africa on December 3 at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur.
Looking Ahead to the 2027 World Cup
India, the runner-up in the 2023 World Cup held at home, will be looking to build a strong team for the 2027 edition. The potential participation of 39-year-old Rohit Sharma and 38-year-old Virat Kohli in that tournament remains a topic of speculation. Gurbaz's comments highlight the strategic and psychological advantage India currently holds simply by having these two icons in their playing eleven.
For emerging cricketing nations like Afghanistan, which has shown remarkable growth, facing a full-strength India with its batting pillars remains the ultimate challenge. Gurbaz's pragmatic yet hopeful view reflects the aspirations of teams looking to topple the giants in world cricket's premier tournament four years from now.
