Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma backing themselves to reach 2027 World Cup, says former India coach

The veteran duo will be on show in the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia this month, starting in Perth on Sunday. Both Kohli and Sharma have retired from Test and T20I cricket but continue to be available for selection in the ODI squad with an eye on the global showpiece, which gets underway in South Africa in October 2027.

At 36 and 38, respectively, Kohli and Sharma are well into the twilight of their careers. But they continue to contribute, as fans saw at the recent Champions Trophy.

Speaking to Fox Cricket, Shastri says they still believe in themselves, or they would have taken themselves out of the equation.

"Kohli's a master chaser, and Rohit is explosive at the top," Shastri said.

"They feel they've got enough cricket in them. It depends how hungry you are, how fit you are, whether that passion for the game is still there. With their experience, it'll come in very handy."

"I would say [to them] take it one series at a time. It's still a long way to go. Hopefully, if they have a good one here, that should keep them in a good state of mind, thinking of South Africa."

There are 24 ODIs scheduled for India between now and the World Cup. India stars Yashasvi Jaiswal, all-rounder Tilak Varma and T20 specialist Abishek Sharma may force the pair out on form alone.

However, Shastri believes it won't come to that. Referencing the way Kohli, Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja retired after winning the T20 World Cup, Shastri claims that given their legendary status, they won't be forced out of the team.

"You could see how they left the T20 format when India won the T20 World Cup,"he said.

“Three of them went, Radeja, Kohli and Rohit. Virat retired from Test cricket, as did Rohit. They were not asked to retire. They went on their own. I would think it's similar. If they're not enjoying it, if the form is not good, they might pull the plug themselves.”