‘Bowlers Are Scared of Rohit Sharma’: Munaf Patel’s Big Warning to Gautam Gambhir — ‘India Can’t Win the World Cup Without Them’

The debate surrounding the future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in India’s ODI setup continues to gather momentum, but former India fast bowler Munaf Patel believes the team would make a costly mistake by moving on from the experienced pair ahead of the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup.

Speaking to cricket journalist Vimal Kumar, Munaf issued a strong message to India head coach Gautam Gambhir and the team management, saying India cannot realistically hope to lift the World Cup without its two most accomplished ODI batters.

‘India Can’t Win the World Cup Without Them’

Munaf, who was part of India’s victorious 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup squad alongside Gambhir, made his stance clear.

“Inke bina World Cup nahi jeet sakte (You can’t win the World Cup without them),” Munaf said while discussing the future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

The former pacer argued that the duo’s experience and consistency over more than a decade make them irreplaceable, especially in a tournament as demanding as the ODI World Cup.

‘Bowlers Are Scared of Rohit Sharma’

Backing his claim, Munaf highlighted Rohit’s impact on opposition bowling attacks.

“To be honest, bowlers are scared of bowling to Rohit Sharma,” he remarked.

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He also dismissed suggestions that the veteran batters are past their best, describing such opinions as a misconception.

According to Munaf, both Rohit and Kohli have continued to perform whenever given opportunities in the ODI format, proving they still have plenty to offer at the highest level.

Numbers That Speak for Themselves

Munaf pointed to the remarkable ODI records of both players to strengthen his argument.

He noted that Virat Kohli has accumulated more than 14,000 ODI runs, while Rohit Sharma has crossed the 11,000-run mark in the format.

Their vast experience, combined with their ability to perform under pressure, makes them difficult to replace, particularly when several younger players are still establishing themselves in 50-over cricket.

According to Munaf, India’s next generation of ODI batters is still evolving, making the continued presence of the senior duo even more valuable.

Calls for a Proper Farewell

Munaf also expressed his desire to see Rohit and Kohli end their ODI careers on their own terms rather than being phased out prematurely.

He recalled how both players retired from T20 Internationals after helping India win the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, while suggesting their exits from Test cricket lacked a farewell on the field.

The former fast bowler urged the selectors to allow the experienced pair the opportunity to conclude their ODI journey after competing for another World Cup title.

Focus Shifts to England Series

For now, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are expected to return to India’s playing XI for the upcoming ODI series against England, beginning this week.

The series could prove significant as India continues preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup, while discussions over the future of two of the country’s greatest modern-day cricketers are unlikely to fade anytime soon.

Although the team management has yet to make its long-term plans public, Munaf Patel’s comments have once again sparked debate over whether experience should outweigh age when it comes to India’s World Cup ambitions.