The rumours regarding the playing days of two of India's greatest cricketing icons, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, have been doing a lot of rounds lately.
Both Virat and Rohit have given up on the Test and T20I formats, and only a part of India's ODI setup. With the 50-over World Cup still 2 years away, speculations regarding the future of the Indian duo have been in full flow.
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Former South African cricketer Daryll Cullinan has now opened up and reflected on his thoughts regarding the Indian legends' participation at the 2027 World Cup.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have to be on the ground if they want to play the World Cup, says Cullinan
Virat and Rohit last featured for India in the Champions Trophy earlier this year. The duo announced their retirement from the red-ball format during the IPL. While Rohit's retirement from the Test format was evident, given his struggles, Virat's leaving his favourite format came as a shock to many.
During a recent interaction with Hindustan Times, Cullinan remarked that while there is no doubt about the duo's ability, their absence from competitive cricket for such long durations could well prove to be an issue.
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"Well, I think from an ability and experience point of view, they could play, I don't think there's any doubt in that, but they'd have to be on the ground of international cricket. If I were the coach or convener of selectors, because no matter how good you are, thinking that you can just play a few games or select a few games, not put in the hours and then step in and think you're going to perform, no, that doesn't work that way," said Cullinan.
Both Virat and Rohit were seen training recently, and the latter was even a part of India's pre-season fitness assessments last week. The duo had a good IPL season for their respective sides, and Virat even added the last jewel to his crown in the form of the IPL trophy.
The duo is expected to feature in India's upcoming 50-over series against Australia, away from home. Some reports even suggested that it might well be the last time when the two Indian greats put on the Blues and play for India.
"They're in the right physical, mental frame of mind, the grind of international cricket, being fit, then I would say yes, but anything less than that I'd say no, India move on, because that certainly doesn't work, and that's in my view. They need to be playing quality cricket for the next two years! Far more cricket than less cricket," added Cullinan.
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India will take on Australia later this October in a 3-match ODI series, and the excitement is already at its peak, with the fans eagerly waiting to see the return of two of their favourite stars.
While Rohit and Virat would be keen to win the World title and end their celebrated careers on a high, it will eventually boil down to the BCCI and the selectors. Although recent reports suggested that the management is looking beyond the two batters for the World Cup 2027.