‘You Can’t Take 1 or 2 Games to Get Into Groove’: Ex-India Star Issues Strong World Cup Warning to Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma…

The debate surrounding Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma‘s future in One-Day Internationals refuses to die down despite the legendary duo continuing to remain central to India’s plans. While both veterans have made it clear that they hope to feature in the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup, former India cricketer Deep Dasgupta believes they can no longer afford slow starts in international series.

The former India wicketkeeper-batter has urged the experienced pair to make an immediate impact whenever they step onto the field, stressing that taking a match or two to find rhythm may no longer be an option at this stage of their careers.

Deep Dasgupta’s clear message for Kohli and Rohit

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Deep Dasgupta said the responsibility is not only on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, but also on the coaching staff to ensure senior players are ready to deliver from the very first game.

According to Dasgupta, players aiming to play the 2027 World Cup must “hit the ground running” instead of relying on the opening matches of a series to regain form.

He also emphasised that the team management should create an environment that allows experienced players to perform at their best from the outset.

No need to question their place in the team

Despite the ongoing speculation over their future, Dasgupta made it clear that there should be no doubts about the place of Kohli and Rohit in India’s ODI setup.

He pointed out that a few years ago, their selection was never questioned because their consistent performances spoke for themselves. In his view, that approach should remain unchanged, with both players continuing to be judged primarily on their performances rather than constant debates over retirement.

2027 World Cup remains the target

Questions over the duo’s future intensified after India’s recent ODI series defeat against England. Reports before the third ODI suggested it could be Rohit Sharma’s final international appearance, but the India captain responded in style by smashing his 34th ODI century, reminding everyone of his class.

Virat Kohli also showed encouraging signs by scoring two half-centuries during the series, although both senior batters endured disappointing performances in the opening match.

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Earlier, head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar had acknowledged that both players are eager to make the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup their final international tournament. However, neither has guaranteed that the two batting icons will remain part of India’s squad until then.

Playing only one format increases the spotlight

Dasgupta also highlighted another challenge facing the two modern-day greats. Since Kohli and Rohit now feature only in ODI cricket after stepping away from T20 Internationals and Test cricket, every performance attracts greater scrutiny.

Unlike players active across multiple formats, they do not have frequent opportunities to bounce back immediately after a poor outing. As a result, each innings carries greater weight in public discussions.

With the road to the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup still long, both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma know that consistency will be just as important as experience if they are to finish their illustrious international careers on the biggest stage in world cricket.