As preparations slowly gather pace for the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup, former India fast bowler Munaf Patel has thrown his weight behind veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, insisting that India cannot afford to leave either of them out if the aim is to win the coveted title. The tournament, jointly hosted by South Africa and Zimbabwe, is provisionally scheduled to be held from October 4 to November 21, 2027. It will mark the return of the ODI World Cup to the African continent for the first time since 2003. Expectations will once again be immense for Team India, who came agonisingly close to lifting the trophy in 2023 before suffering a heartbreaking defeat to Australia in the final.
Munaf Patel backs Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for World Cup campaign
Speaking to journalist Vimal Kumar, Munaf made it clear that India should continue backing Rohit and Kohli for as long as they remain productive in the ODI format. The former pacer urged selectors not to force the two stalwarts into retirement, arguing that players of their stature deserve to leave the game on their own terms.
“In the format that they are still playing, you cannot drop them. Remember this. Those who are the main guys for you, and such big legends, because they are performing even today and proving, don’t do what you did with others to them. You have let many go and sent them home. Let them go by their own happiness and with a trophy. After winning the trophy, they will leave themselves. They also know they will not play the next World Cup, no matter how fit they stay,” Munaf said.
The former World Cup winner further highlighted the extraordinary consistency shown by both batters over the last decade, insisting that no current player is ready to replace them in India’s ODI setup.
“You cannot win the World Cup without them. If you want to win the 2027 World Cup, it cannot happen without them. Look at their records of the last ten years. Fifty-five hundreds in the same format. Rohit has 33-34 hundreds. Bowlers are scared to bowl, to be honest. Even today, people have a misconception that Rohit and Virat are finished. Talent can never be finished. These are talented guys. How will you win without them? The others are still getting ready. There is no one today who can take their place at the moment. There are just eight months for 2027. How much time is even left?” he added.
Munaf’s comments come amid increasing debate over whether the two modern-day greats should continue until the next ODI World Cup, considering their age and India’s ongoing transition.
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Team India faces huge expectations ahead of 2027 World Cup
India will head into the 2027 World Cup carrying enormous expectations under captain Shubman Gill, with the team determined to end its long wait for a 50-over world title after finishing runners-up in 2023. Head coach Gautam Gambhir, along with the BCCI, is overseeing a gradual squad transition while attempting to retain the team’s competitive edge.
The biggest selection debate remains whether Rohit Sharma, who will be 40 during the tournament, and Kohli, who will be 39, should continue leading India’s batting unit. While Gill is expected to become the central figure in India’s batting order and strengthen his leadership role, selectors are also evaluating a pool of nearly 20 contenders for the future.
Young talents such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhishek Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Tilak Varma are expected to receive extended opportunities in bilateral ODI series as India builds toward the tournament. However, the conditions in South Africa and Zimbabwe will present a vastly different challenge compared to the spin-friendly pitches seen during the 2023 World Cup in India. Alongside pace spearheads Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, India will need a well-rounded fast-bowling attack capable of exploiting the pace and bounce that African conditions traditionally offer if they are to mount another serious title challenge in 2027.
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