Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting is backing Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to extend their ODI careers all the way to the 2027 World Cup in South Africa. Both Indian stalwarts stepped away from Test cricket last year and now feature for India only in the 50-over format. Outside of national duty, their appearances are largely limited to the IPL. Ponting, who lifted back-to-back ODI World Cup trophies as captain in 2003 and 2007, said it would be unwise to discount players of their calibre.
“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 told PTI. The Punjab Kings head coach has been tracking both closely during IPL 2026. The Australian legend singled out Kohli\u2019s drive this season as proof that the hunger remains. Despite playing fewer internationals than before, Ponting noted that Kohli\u2019s intent and will to win have not dipped. Kohli has piled up 542 runs in 13 IPL 2026 games, a tally that includes a hundred, while maintaining a strike rate north of 160.Rohit earned similar praise from Ponting, particularly for his conditioning. According to Ponting, the Mumbai Indians batter has reported to IPL 2026 in the best shape he has seen him in roughly a decade or more. Rohit missed the start of the season recovering from a hamstring problem and has featured mainly as an impact player since returning. In eight outings he has struck 283 runs with two fifties, also striking at over 160. 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 is 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,” Ponting added. Both veterans were named on Tuesday in India\u2019s squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, which begins June 14. Rohit\u2019s inclusion remains conditional on clearing fitness tests due to his recent hamstring issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While their spots for the 2027 ODI World Cup are not guaranteed, selectors are expected to assess their form and fitness closer to the tournament before making a final call. For now, Ponting believes the two champions still have the passion and ability to make it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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