Aakash Chopra opens up on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s ODI future, says both have realistic chances till 2027 World Cup

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has shed light on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s ODI future. The cricket analyst reckons the veteran duo has realistic chances till the 2027 ODI World Cup. However, the renowned commentator raised concerns regarding the lack of game time as the pair has announced their retirement from the Test and T20I formats.

While Rohit Sharma has amassed 11,168 runs in 273 ODI matches at an impressive average of 48.77, Kohli has aggregated 14,181 runs in 302 ODI games at a stunning average of 57.88; thus, their records speak for themselves.

“Both of them can push it till the World Cup. Since the 2027 World Cup is in South Africa, experience and skills will be needed. Again, that’s also a bridge too far, but both have realistic chances till the 2027 World Cup. However, they are playing less cricket, and I don’t like that,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

Chopra noted that ODIs are far and few between in International cricket and it is not going to help the duo of Rohit and Virat.

“I feel they should have been playing more cricket. They would have played a lot of cricket had they kept playing Tests. I don’t know why they have left Tests and are playing ODIs, and have left T20Is too. Two months of IPL and then 10 matches in 10 months. Personally, I don’t understand this,” he added.

Chopra reckons Virat Kohli’s biggest legacy is his batting records as he failed to win a big title in the white-ball formats as a leader.

“I think batting records. In impact as a leader, he hasn’t lifted any ICC trophy. ICC trophies are remembered. It’s good when you win the Test mace. It was very good when you won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but the team that went the next time also won. So the novelty factor doesn’t remain in that,” he replied.

The renowned commentator noted India won the first time on Australian soil under Kohli’s leadership in 2018-19 but they also achieved the same feat under Ajinkya Rahane on the next tour.